This year’s Mattoni Half Marathon Olomouc has confirmed the fantastic form of Spain’s national runners. Just two weeks after his victory in Mattoni Half Marathon České Budějovice, Jorge Blanco delivered another stellar performance. Alongside his compatriot and Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary champion Carolina Robles, Blanco is taking home not only a victory and a trophy from the renowned Ajeto glassworks, but also valuable points for the EuroHeroes 2026 standings, where both athletes currently hold the top spot.
This season is shaping up to be incredibly promising for both runners. The 32-year-old Iberian athlete is a top contender for the overall title in the series, while the 34-year-old long-distance runner and steeplechaser clocked an impressive 1:09:30, breaking the European race record set by Trihas Gebre back in 2015. While Blanco speaks of the joy and positive feelings that come with these great results, the two-time Olympian describes this year as nothing short of incredible. “It really is. Given that I’m relatively new to road racing and long distances, I’m thrilled with how my training and the season as a whole are going. The feeling is amazing,” says Carolina Robles.
While one might think that winning itself is the ultimate reward, both athletes admit that the EuroHeroes project is a massive motivator. “It means a lot to me because winning would mean cementing my place among Europe’s elite athletes,” says Blanco, who initially hoped for a podium finish and is now enjoying the victory all the more. “I didn’t expect to be leading the standings, so I’m genuinely happy. I hadn’t originally planned on running these races, but as soon as my manager told me about them, I saw it as a great opportunity to gain more experience at this distance and give it my all,” Robles adds.
While Carolina now plans to focus primarily on the marathon at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham this August, followed by recovery and some family downtime to recharge, Jorge Blanco has fallen in love with the RunCzech Half Marathon series and plans to return to the Czech Republic after Birmingham. “I’d love to complete the entire five-race series, so I’m planning to run the Mattoni Half Marathon Ústí nad Labem later this year and Prague and Karlovy Vary next year.”
Thanks to the prestigious World Athletics Road Race Label, elite runners can count on world-class facilities and race organization. Yet, there are specific things that make Czech races stand out. “The courses in these beautiful cities are spectacular and the atmosphere is amazing. Athletes really feel loved here and the spectators are wonderful and cheer us on incredibly hard in every race. You can see they truly appreciate our effort, which is very motivating for us. It’s clear that both the cities and the RunCzech organization love running,” says Robles, praising the fans’ energy and the beauty of the regional cities. “The truth is, everything starts with great organization. RunCzech does a fantastic job and creates an exciting atmosphere. I think people appreciate seeing European-level athletes and I am truly grateful for their support at both races,” agrees Blanco, who crossed the Olomouc finish line in 1:03:08.
Another unique feature is the glass trophies crafted by the local glassworks, Ajeto, which also supplies trophies for the legendary Tour de France. “I already have a special place picked out for them at home, alongside my medal and race bib. I keep everything from my races and looking back at them years later always brings back beautiful memories and a smile to my face,” explains Blanco and Carolina feels much the same way. “The trophies are stunning, unique and I absolutely love them! I keep everything. I have a room where I display my most important medals and trophies together with photos from that day and this trophy will definitely be among them, just like the one from Karlovy Vary.”
The winner of the spa-town half marathon also admitted she felt better prepared for Olomouc. “Before Karlovy Vary, I had very little time to prepare. I made my marathon debut in March and took my time to fully recover without rushing into anything. However, I felt really good in both races, also thanks to the care provided to us elite athletes. It’s not just about the logistics and organization, but also the personal touch and the genuine desire to make us feel as comfortable as possible,” says Robles, who regularly represents Spain in cross-country team events as well. Blanco felt similarly, using Mattoni Half Marathon České Budějovice as a stepping stone for Olomouc. “Budějovice helped me and I felt a bit better in Olomouc because of it. I also love that the level of competition was incredibly high in both races.”
Carolina Robles offered some insight into what exactly lies behind this Spanish dominance and whether it’s a matter of specific training or exceptional talent. “I think it’s a bit of everything. Having good coaches really raises the bar nationally. And because the average level in Spain is so high, you have to be highly disciplined, methodical and give your absolute best just to make the most of your talent and keep up with the best in your country. Healthy rivalry pushes us forward,” says the Spanish athlete. “It’s true that the standard of long-distance running in Spain is very high, which forces everyone to be more competitive. But I’ve seen Czech athletes train and we train in a very similar way. I’m sure everyone here will be at a very high level soon too, because some already are – like Damián Vích, the winner from Karlovy Vary,” Jorge Blanco concludes.
