The EuroHeroes 2025 running series is heading into its final and decisive race. After the half marathons in Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice, and Olomouc, this year’s edition will culminate on Saturday on the traditionally fast course in Ústí nad Labem. Top runners from across Europe will battle for final victory both head-to-head and remotely. Domestic (Czech) long-distance runners will also be in the game.
n the overall standings of the four-race series, each athlete’s two best performances are converted into points and counted. This means that runners who have competed in only one EuroHeroes race so far can still fight for the title. One such case is Damián Vích, member of the RunCzech Racing Team and winner of the first half marathon in Karlovy Vary. To overtake the current series leader, Dutch Khalid Choukoud, Vích needs to run 1:04:19 (which earns 1019 points)—a 4-second improvement on his personal best.
“Damián has focused his training specifically on this half marathon, so we can expect an attempt to significantly improve his personal best, which doesn’t yet reflect his current capabilities,” said Eva Vrabcová Nývltová, manager of the RunCzech Racing Team.
The Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon will be even more exciting because the current series leader Khalid Choukoud will be on the start line. The Dutch runner won in České Budějovice and placed third in Olomouc, and currently leads the EuroHeroes series with 2034 points.
On Saturday, two strong Ukrainian runners will also take to the course—Bohdan Ivan Horodyskyi, who is currently second (needs 1:03:58 to take the lead), and Mykola Mevsha, who is fourth (needs 1:02:58).
Top Belgian runner Dorian Boulvin, with a PB of 1:01:25 (needs 1:04:10), is also a real contender for the win. He showed his form by placing second in Olomouc, and feels in great shape ahead of Ústí:
“I’m in very good form right now, but Khalid is an experienced long-distance runner, and Damián has had an excellent season, especially on shorter courses, so they’re both tough opponents—each with their own strengths,” Boulvin said before the race.
About the EuroHeroes Project
The EuroHeroes project began with a pilot edition of two races in 2018. The following year saw the launch of its full-format series, which continues today. It is an initiative by RunCzech in cooperation with European Athletics, aiming to identify, promote, and develop European running talents, while also encouraging the general public to take up sport.
The elite field in these races is restricted to European athletes only. All four events in the series have been awarded the prestigious “World Athletics Road Race Label” by World Athletics.
EuroHeroes 2025: Standings After 3 Races
MEN
1. Khalid Choukoud (NED) – 2034 points (1026 + 1008)
2. Bohdan Ivan Horodyskyi (UKR) – 1998 (1003 + 995)
3. Lahsene Bouchikhi (BEL) – 1842 (972 + 870)
4. Mykola Mevsha (UKR) – 1807 (965 + 842)
5. Paulos Surafel (GBR) – 1806 (945 + 861)
6. Stefan Iulius Gavril (ROU) – 1799 (903 + 896)
Best runners with 1 result competing in Ústí n. L.:
Damián Vích (CZE) – 1016
Dorian Boulvin (BEL) – 1010
WOMEN
1. Nóra Szabó (HUN) – 2197 (1109 + 1088)
2. Meritxell Soler (ESP) – 2184 (1093 + 1091)
3. Mariia Mazurenko (UKR) – 2170 (1084 + 1086)
4. Olga Nyzhnyk (UKR) – 2039 (1004 + 1035)
5. Eva Filipiová (CZE) – 1866 (916 + 950)
6. Danka Truksová (CZE) – 1754 (881 + 873)
Best runners with 1 result competing in Ústí n. L.:
Tereza Hrochová (CZE) – 1031
Maryna Nemchenko (UKR) – 963
