Sports fans worldwide follow marathons for the incredible athletic performances and records that push the boundaries of human potential. But what makes the Vodafone Prague Marathon truly special isn’t just the digits on the finish line clock; it’s the human stories of grit, second chances, and journeys that stretch far beyond a loop from Old Town Square through Prague and back.
This year’s edition offered a dramatic spectacle at the head of the elite field. In the men’s category, the stage was set to shatter the 2023 race record and even target a sub-2:05 finish for the first time. For many kilometers, it looked like history was about to be rewritten. At the 30-kilometer mark, the duo of Berehanu Wendemu Tsegu and Justus Kipkorir Limo held a lead of over a minute on Alexander Mutiso’s 2023 record of 2:05:09. However, an unexpected rival emerged: the May sun. Temperatures climbed toward 30 degrees in some spots, and exhaustion took its toll on the leaders. Kenya’s Justus Kipkorir Limo faded so significantly that he dropped out of the medal positions entirely during the final five kilometers. Ethiopia’s Berehanu Wendemu Tsegu held onto first place, but the race record remained intact.
Arguably the most powerful moment of this year’s race didn’t happen at the front of the nearly 12,000-strong pack, but deep within the field. A year ago, Irish runner Paul McCann was fighting for his life during the first kilometer of the Prague Marathon. After a sudden cardiac arrest and eleven defibrillator shocks, he was literally given a second lease on life thanks to the lightning-fast intervention of paramedics. Despite that, he returned to Prague this year to successfully complete the run, crossing the line in 5:48:21. In his case, the performance wasn’t about minutes per kilometer, but a demonstration of sheer willpower and Irish resilience.
Another fascinating story with a massive sporting crossover was Italian runner Matteo Bermond, for whom the marathon itself was merely the “icing on the cake.” He didn’t fly to Prague, nor did he arrive by car. He covered the entire journey from Italy to the Czech capital in the saddle of his bike, eventually finishing the Vodafone Prague Marathon in a time of 4:24:27.
The Prague International Marathon is traditionally a magnet for celebrities, and this year was no exception. Olympic canoeing champion Martin Fuksa earned immense respect. An athlete accustomed to a completely different type of physical strain, he proved he has fantastic conditioning on dry land as well. Just five days before a World Cup race, he tackled the course in an incredible 2:56:19, comfortably meeting his pre-set goal of breaking three hours.
Finishing just a few minutes behind him with a time of 2:59:56 was presenter and influencer Nikos Machalaos. This year, he opted for a “retake” in classic style. While last year he caught fans’ attention with a bizarre challenge: running the full 42 kilometers with his hands in his pockets. This year he put in a maximum sporting effort. Nikos himself evaluated his run as follows: “Compared to last year, I felt much better. This year I wanted to get it over with quickly, so I managed a sub-3 marathon. At the halfway mark, I knew it was realistic, but at the same time, I was bracing for a crisis at the 35th kilometer, which I really didn’t enjoy. But I stayed on top of my hydration, switched my brain off, and it worked out!”
The Neverending Story isn’t just a fantasy film with a flying dragon dog and the heroic Atreyu; it’s also the story of seven Czech runners who have maintained an incredible streak since 1995. Every time, they stand at the start of the Prague Marathon, and every time, they finish. This year marked their thirtieth. Before the race, members of the “RunCzech Kings” agreed that experience can never replace honest training, and despite competing against runners one or more generations younger, both Radim Kotlaba and Daniel Dvořák achieved fantastic sub-4 hour times. However, the greatest admiration in this group undoubtedly belongs to 78-year-old František Večeřa, who fell during the Prague Half Marathon, cracked a rib, and couldn’t train much, yet still lined up for the marathon and managed to conquer it in 6 hours and 55 minutes. We look forward to seeing you again next year, gentlemen!
