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Healthcare and Medical Coverage at RunCzech Events

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At RunCzech races, we provide professional medical support through a combination of cooperation with local emergency medical services, students from secondary and university-level medical schools, and private healthcare providers.

At each event, emergency medical service vehicles are stationed in the start and finish areas, near the technical facilities, and along the race course. These units are further supported by first aid stations located throughout the route and by four cyclists equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Additional AED devices are also available near the start gate, in the VIP zone, and at the baggage storage area within the technical facilities.

Ensuring accessible and rapid first aid is one of our top priorities. For this reason, we work closely with emergency dispatch operators via the national emergency line 155, enabling us to deploy medical teams to the scene of an incident as quickly as possible.

RunCzech has also recently introduced the Running Doctors initiative — a unique program created specifically for the RunCzech race series, aimed at bringing medical expertise directly into the heart of every event.

An important safety factor is also the runner’s bib number. On the back of the bib, each participant has the opportunity to provide essential medical information, such as allergies, current medication, and an emergency contact person.

Medical Coverage at Individual Events

Prague Half Marathon, Prague International Marathon & Grand Prix Races

RunCzech works closely with the Prague Emergency Medical Service (ZZSHMP).

At all major Prague races (the Prague Half Marathon, the Prague Marathon, and the Grand Prix events), a large-capacity medical vehicle called Golem is positioned directly at the start gate. This unit is capable of providing professional hospital-level medical care on site. Members of ZZSHMP, as well as race organizers and volunteers, assist with transporting runners to the Golem vehicle when necessary.

Along the race course, several static emergency medical service vehicle positions are deployed:

  • Prague Half Marathon: 3 ambulances
  • Prague Marathon: 5 ambulances
  • Grand Prix: 3 ambulances

In addition, one ambulance follows behind the final runner. The course also runs close to ZZSHMP base stations, allowing the fastest possible medical response.

The organizer further provides four AED cycling patrols, equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These patrols operate in designated sections of the course, and thanks to their ability to move directly among runners, their response time is extremely fast. The AED cycling patrols are staffed by sixth-year students of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University.

AED devices are also available at the baggage storage area within the technical facilities and in the guest zone near the start and finish gate.

On average, medical points are located every kilometer along the course. Each station is staffed by two secondary medical school students who provide basic medical assistance to runners. Specifically, there are:

  • 26 medical points at the Prague Half Marathon
  • 33 medical points at the Prague Marathon
  • 9 medical points at the Grand Prix races

Additional foot patrols operate in the start, finish, and technical areas, assisting with medical incidents in close cooperation with ZZSHMP.

In cooperation with ZZSHMP, race organizers always provide the emergency dispatch line 155 with a detailed event map. Medical interventions can therefore be coordinated using the race’s internal kilometer markings, which significantly speeds up response times, especially for participants unfamiliar with Prague’s geography.

Cooling showers and misting systems are activated depending on current weather conditions. However, they are always prepared at all refreshment and hydration stations, as well as in the start and finish areas. Water-spraying vehicles are also available and can be deployed to pre-designated locations as needed. Thanks to this preparation, the event team can respond quickly and effectively to sudden changes in weather.

Karlovy Vary

  • RunCzech works closely with the Emergency Medical Service of the Karlovy Vary Region.
  • Medical coverage includes:
    • One medical crew stationed in the start/finish area
    • Two ambulances positioned along the Half Marathon course
    • One medical crew assigned to the 10 km race
  • Along the course, 13 first aid stations will be deployed (some of them will be passed twice by runners). These stations are staffed by trained students from the Secondary and Higher Medical Schools in Karlovy Vary.
  • Medical supervision is provided approximately every 1.5 km.
  • During the race, four cycling patrols equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are active on the course. An additional AED is located in the VIP zone next to the start and finish gate, and another AED is available in the technical area near the runners’ changing facilities.
  • There are six refreshment and hydration stations along the course, as well as one additional station beyond the finish line.
  • After the 5 km mark, stations are positioned every 2.5 km.
  • Each station provides Mattoni water, and refreshment stations also offer an isotonic drink, bananas, oranges, salt, and sugar.
  • Cooling showers and misting systems are activated in case of very hot weather and are available at every refreshment and hydration station.

České Budějovice

  • RunCzech works closely with the Emergency Medical Service of the South Bohemian Region.
  • Medical coverage includes:
    • One medical crew stationed at the main square in the start/finish area
    • Four ambulances positioned along the Half Marathon course
    • One medical crew assigned to the 5 km race
  • Along the course, approximately 10 first aid stations will be deployed (some of them will be passed twice by runners). These stations are staffed by trained medical professionals from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the University of South Bohemia.
  • Medical supervision is provided approximately every 1.5 km.
  • During the race, four cycling patrols equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are active on the course. An additional AED is located in the VIP zone next to the start and finish gate, and another AED is available in the technical area near the runners’ changing facilities.
  • There are six refreshment and hydration stations along the course, as well as one station at the finish area.
  • After the 5 km mark, stations are positioned every 2.5 km.
  • Each station provides Mattoni water, and refreshment stations also offer an isotonic drink, bananas, oranges, salt, and sugar.
  • Cooling showers and misting systems are activated in case of very hot weather and are available at every refreshment and hydration station.
  • In addition, an FCC water-spraying vehicle will be stationed on the course:
  • One spraying vehicle at the corner of Karl IV Street and Senovážné Square, covering all races at this location (one 5 km race, one family mile, and three Half Marathon passes).
  • Runners will be informed about how to behave safely in hot weather through the official website, social media channels, and newsletters.

Olomouc 

  • RunCzech works closely with the Emergency Medical Service of the Olomouc Region. In the city center, medical support is also provided by students from the Secondary Medical School.
  • Medical coverage includes:
    • One ambulance crew stationed in the start/finish area
    • Three ambulances positioned along the Half Marathon course
    • One medical crew assigned to the 5 km race
  • Along the course, 19 first aid stations staffed by trained medical professionals from AGEL are deployed. At 8 of these stations, runners pass twice, meaning medical supervision is provided approximately every 1.5 km.
  • During the race, four cycling patrols equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are active on the course and are staffed by AGEL doctors. An additional AED is located in the VIP zone next to the start and finish gate, and another AED is available in the technical area near the runners’ changing facilities.
  • An additional medical tent provided by AGEL is also available within the technical facilities.
  • There are seven refreshment and hydration stations along the course, as well as one station at the finish area.
  • After the 5 km mark, stations are positioned every 2.5 km.
  • Each station provides Mattoni water, and refreshment stations also offer an isotonic drink, bananas, oranges, salt, and sugar.
  • Cooling showers and misting systems are activated in case of very hot weather and are available at every refreshment and hydration station.
  • In addition, one water-spraying vehicle operated by the Olomouc Municipal Technical Services (TSMO) will be positioned during all races as follows:
  • 5 km Šantovka Run: at the roundabout between Studentská and Dobrovského streets (approx. 1.1 km)
  • dm Family Mile: at the intersection of Aksamitova and Kateřinská streets
  • Half Marathon: at Jiřího z Poděbrad Street and Žižkovo Square (2.2 km and 19 km)
  • Furthermore, two volunteer firefighter vehicles will be stationed along the course:
    • At the corner of 17. listopadu Street and Kosmonautů Avenue (after 3 km and again at 17 km)
    • At Mrštíkovo Square near Tomkova Street (9 km)
  • At Horní Square, three additional misting points will be prepared and operated throughout the day.
  • Runners will be informed about how to behave safely in hot weather through the official website, social media channels, and newsletters.

Prague Relay

At the Prague Relay, Prague Emergency Medical Service (ZZSHMP) vehicles are present in the start and finish area, as well as along the course near the refreshment station. Medical support is further complemented by healthcare staff from a secondary medical school stationed at medical points.

For this event, ZZSHMP also has access to a specialized medical quad bike (Polaris) and an off-road medical vehicle (Grenadier), ensuring the fastest possible emergency response even within the Stromovka Royal Park area.

During the race, there is 1 patrol on a bike with an AED defibrillator available, another AED defibrillator is located in the team box zone and in the competitor bag deposit area.

Ústí nad Labem

  • RunCzech works closely with the Emergency Medical Service of the Ústí nad Labem Region.
  • Medical support in the city center is also provided by students from the Secondary Medical School together with students from Jan Evangelista Purkyně University (UJEP).
  • Medical coverage includes:
    • One EMS ambulance crew stationed at the main square
    • One ambulance positioned along the Half Marathon course
    • One medical crew assigned to the 10 km race
  • Along the course, 11 first aid stations staffed by trained medical professionals are deployed.
  • During the race, four cycling patrols equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are active on the course. An additional AED is located in the VIP zone next to the start and finish gate, and another AED is available in the technical area near the runners’ changing facilities.
  • There are six refreshment and hydration stations along the course, as well as one station at the finish area.
  • After the 5 km mark, stations are positioned every 2.5 km.
  • Each station provides Mattoni water, and refreshment stations also offer an isotonic drink, bananas, oranges, salt, and sugar.
  • Cooling showers and misting systems are activated in case of very hot weather and are available at every refreshment and hydration station.
  • In addition, one AVE water-spraying vehicle will be stationed along the course:
  • On the Half Marathon route at the intersection of Brněnská and Panská streets, with additional misting support near the eastern gate of Spolchemie.

Liberec 

  • RunCzech works closely with the Liberec Regional Hospital.
  • Medical coverage includes:
    • One medical crew stationed in the start/finish area
    • Two off-road medical vehicles positioned along the forest sections of the course
  • Along the course, three first aid stations will be deployed (some of them will be passed twice by runners). These stations are staffed by trained students from the Secondary and Higher Medical Schools in Liberec.
  • Medical supervision is provided approximately every 1.5 km.
  • During the race, three cycling patrols equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are active on the course. An additional AED is located in the VIP zone next to the start and finish gate, and another AED is available in the technical area near the runners’ changing facilities.
  • There are three refreshment and hydration stations along the course, as well as one station at the finish area.
  • Each station provides Mattoni water, and refreshment stations also offer an isotonic drink, bananas, oranges, salt, sugar, and raisins.