Vodafone Prague Marathon has completed its 31st edition. Once again, it brought thousands of runners from all over the world to the streets of Prague, along with fans lining the course and stories that go far beyond the sporting result itself. In this interview, RunCzech founder Carlo Capalbo speaks about the atmosphere in Prague, the power of marathon stories, the battle against challenging conditions, and why, for him, the marathon is a metaphor for life.
Carlo, every year we say the atmosphere in Prague is unique. How would you describe the ‘vibe’ of the 2026 edition compared to your very first marathon here? Do you think that Czech people learn how to cheer and support runners?
Yes, absolutely. There were so many people out on the streets, and I really felt how strongly Prague supports the runners today. The atmosphere was not only about the race itself. It felt like a celebration for the whole city.
People come out, they stay, they watch, they enjoy the atmosphere and they give energy to the runners. And what is very important, they do not see the marathon only as closed streets or a busy day in the city. They understand that the marathon is part of Prague now, and that is something very special.
The men’s winner was on pace for a record-breaking performance until the heat took it all. From your perspective, is a hard-fought battle against the elements sometimes more valuable for the ‘spectacle’ of the sport than a record-breaking time?
Of course, the final time is important. A record is always important, because it shows the quality of the performance and the level of the race. But sometimes the battle is even more powerful. When you see a runner fighting against the heat, against the conditions and against himself, it becomes epic. Maybe you do not have the record, but you have a very strong story.
And for the spectators, this is very valuable. They see the effort, the courage, the suffering. They see the human part of the marathon. And this is also why the marathon is so beautiful.
You’ve always championed the idea that sport isn’t just about trophies, but about stories. Which specific moment or runner from this year’s field truly embodied the ‘All Runners Are Beautiful’ spirit for you?
For me, one of the most beautiful stories was the gentleman (František Večeřa) who finished his 30th Prague Marathon. He is almost 80 years old, he had problems with his knee, and maybe he knew that this could be his last marathon. But he still finished.
And this is exactly the spirit of “All Runners Are Beautiful”. It is not only about the winners. It is about the people who come back year after year, who overcome pain and difficulties, and who bring their own story all the way to the finish line.
We had over 100 nationalities at the start. What does it tell us about the international reputation of this race when people are willing to travel such distances to be part of it?
We had people from all over the world. From China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Chile, and many other countries. And I think this shows that the Prague Marathon has a very strong international reputation.
People are not travelling such long distances only to run. They are coming because they want to experience Prague, the atmosphere of the race and the feeling of being part of an international running community. For us, this is very important, because it shows that Prague is not only a beautiful city, but also a real marathon destination.
This was the 31st edition of the Prague International Marathon. Is there still something what can surprise you, when you and your team are arranging this huge event?
Every year, something surprises me. People are creative, and when you have runners from all over the world, you also have different cultures, different approaches and different ways of experiencing the race. Even after so many years, I am still surprised by the energy of the people, by the stories they bring, and also by the fact that we are always able to improve and surprise ourselves. That is what keeps the event alive.
It’s commonly said “nothing is older than yesterday”, so we have to look for the future. Are there any special ideas or innovations which you and your team are planning for the next edition?
Yes, of course. We live in a small, but beautiful country. When you compare Prague with Berlin, New York or Boston, we are smaller. But we want to be comparable with the greatest races in the world. And you know why? Because many people still tell us that Prague is one of the most beautiful marathon events in the world.
People come here because they feel the quality of the organisation, the beauty of the city and the experience we create around the race. So every year, we try to innovate. We try to improve the organisation, we try to improve the runner experience, and we try to bring more fun to the people.
At the same time, we also want to push the boundaries of technology. The idea is not only to organise a race, but to create an experience that is modern, enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
Is there something you would like to say to the runner and the fans?
This is my advice on why you should run a marathon. Because the marathon teaches you something about life. It is easy to be a good son, a good father or a good person for one day. What is difficult is to keep these values for your whole life. And with running, it is the same. It is easy to run one kilometre, but it is difficult to run a marathon. To do it, you need concentration, discipline, focus and respect. You need to keep going. And this is why I believe the marathon is important. It is not only a race. It is a way to understand what it means to stay committed until the end.
