RunCzech launched the EuroHeroes series in 2018 in cooperation with European Athletics, and a year later, the initiative was named European Athletics’ Running Project of the Year. The goal of EuroHeroes is to support and raise the profile of elite European runners; this year—the series’ fifth edition—saw the participation of 47 runners representing 13 nationalities. The winners for this year—the Spanish duo of Jorge Blanco and Carolina Robles—were determined on Saturday, September 19, at the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon.
Once again this year, all EuroHeroes stops boasted the prestigious World Athletics Road Race Label, confirming top-tier organizational standards and the unique atmosphere of world-class races. Points are awarded to male and female runners based on their performances according to the Hungarian scoring tables, with the two best times counting from 4 regional races in Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice, Olomouc, and Ústí nad Labem. Each of these races has its own unique characteristics. Karlovy Vary is a renowned spa town and the site of a prestigious international film festival. České Budějovice is the metropolis of South Bohemia and an urban heritage reserve, while Olomouc serves as a historical, cultural, and spiritual center of Moravia. Ústí nad Labem is distinguished by its industrial atmosphere and a route that passes through the grounds of a chemical plant.
The traditional first stop of EuroHeroes 2026 was May’s Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary, dominated by local long-distance runner and RunCzech Racing Team member Damián Vích and Spanish runner Carolina Robles. Together, they took the top spots in the overall standings. After České Budějovice, last year’s winner Khalid Choukoud from the Netherlands moved to the top of the standings, while Natasha Wilson from Great Britain led the women’s category. In Olomouc, the Spaniards made their mark – Jorge Blanco became the men’s leader, and Carolina Robles returned to the women’s top spot.
Local favorites Damián Vích and 2023 series winner Tereza Hrochová had a chance at the overall victory until the very last moment. However, in the final race of this year’s series, the Mattoni Half Marathon Ústí nad Labem, they would have needed to post times of 1:03:14 (Damián, PB 1:02:52) and 1:09:22 (Tereza, PB 1:10:52), which neither managed to achieve. The winner of this year’s Karlovy Vary race, Damián Vích, ultimately took an impressive second place in Ústí with a time of 1:06:33, improving by one spot compared to last year. This performance earned him fifth place in the overall series standings. Tereza Hrochová matched her personal best of 1:10:52 from this year’s České Budějovice, improving the Czech race record by 30 seconds. However, it was not enough points for the victory, so she has to settle for second place this year.
Spain’s Jorge Blanco celebrates overall victory in the men’s category; although he finished fifth at the Ústí half marathon, his excellent results from České Budějovice and Olomouc were enough to secure top spot. Ukrainian runner Mykola Mevsha took second place, and German runner Jan Lukas Becker took the bronze. The Spanish distance runner did not hide his joy after the Mattoni Half Marathon Ústí nad Labem. “I am thrilled. Winning the title in a series with such strong competition means a lot to me. I really enjoyed the whole season and I’ll gladly return next year to defend my title.”
Spain’s Carolina Robles maintained first place among the women, while Norway’s Hanne Mjøen Maridal took bronze behind second-placed Tereza Hrochová. The Spanish runner ranks her success in the RunCzech series very highly in her career. “It is undoubtedly one of the most important achievements of my sporting career. This includes my eighth place at the European Championships in Rome 2024, another eighth place now at the European Championships in Birmingham, my two Olympic appearances in Tokyo (including the Olympic final) and Paris, and then undoubtedly this triumph,” said Carolina Robles, adding in the same breath: “I hope EuroHeroes fits into my race calendar for next year, because I would love to take part in every single race of this great event!”
Final Standings EuroHeroes 2026
Men:
- Jorge Blanco (ESP) – 2109 points (1045 + 1064)
- Mykola Mevsha (UKR) – 2083 points (1035 + 1048)
- Jan Lukas Becker (GER) – 2029 points (1032 + 997)
- Khalid Choukoud (NED) – 2003 points (991 + 1012)
- Damián Vích (CZE) – 1984 points (1050 + 934)
- Artur Bossy (ESP) – 1945 points (994 + 951)
- Lahsene Bouchikhi (BEL) – 1922 points (955 + 967)
- Matěj Hřebačka (CZE) – 1799 points (887 + 912)
- David Vaš (CZE) – 1672 points (845 + 827)
- Jiří Homoláč (CZE) – 1655 points (835 + 820)
Women:
- Carolina Robles (ESP) – 2254 points (1114 + 1140)
- Tereza Hrochová (CZE) – 2224 points (1112 + 1112)
- Hanne Mjøen Maridal (NOR) – 2151 points (1080 + 1071)
- Natasha Wilson (GBR) – 2145 points (1067 + 1078)
- Michaela Čepová (CZE) – 2117 points (1058 + 1059)
- Kristina Hendel (GER) – 2031 points (1001 + 1030)
- Cristina Silva (ESP) – 1952 points (987 + 965)
- Hana Homolková (CZE) – 1936 points (945 + 991)
- Eva Vrabcová Nývltová (CZE) – 1930 points (954 + 976)
- Barbora Vahalíková (CZE) – 1699 points (846 + 853)
EuroHeroes Overall Series Winners
Men:
- 2019: Yassine Rachik (ITA) – 2 220 pts
- 2023: Sebastian Hendel (GER) – 2 018 pts
- 2024: Sebastian Hendel (GER) – 2 036 pts
- 2025: Khalid Choukoud (NED) – 2 034 pts
- 2026: Jorge Blanco (ESP) – 2 109 pts
Women:
- 2019: Darya Mykhailova (UA) – 2 251 pts
- 2023: Tereza Hrochová (CZE) – 2 111 pts
- 2024: Maryna Nemchenko (UA) – 2 186 pts
- 2025: Nóra Szabó (HUN) – 2 197 pts
- 2026: Carolina Robles (ESP) – 2 254 pts
