THE LARGEST RUNNING EVENT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Junior Marathon is a nationwide relay race for secondary school students that encourages the younger generation to get active.
Participation in the entire project is completely free of charge for all schools and students.
The project consists of 14 regional semifinal rounds held throughout the Czech Republic. The winning teams advance to the grand final, which takes place as part of the prestigious Prague International Marathon.
Each school team consists of a 10-member relay team that completes the full marathon distance (42.195 km), with each student running 4.2 km. To ensure equal opportunities and gender balance, each relay team must be mixed and include at least 3 female runners.
Taking part in the Junior Marathon has become a tradition at secondary schools. Older students motivate younger ones, and teachers also play a key role. Without their personal commitment, the project would not be possible on such a large scale.
Thanks to RunCzech’s support and facilities, students have the opportunity to compete in professional race conditions. The atmosphere of a major race, cheering crowds and the euphoria of crossing the finish line fill students with incredible energy, and many carry their memories of the final race with them for the rest of their lives.
The qualifying schools get to experience the atmosphere of a world-class marathon in the heart of Prague and share the course with elite athletes.
The Junior Marathon is a key pillar of RunCzech’s corporate social responsibility strategy. By investing in the younger generation and promoting health, teamwork and inclusion, we create long-term value for individuals and society as a whole. Running shows young people the way towards an active lifestyle built on the principles of fair play.
The Junior Marathon has been supported for many years by the Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, which encourages young people to take part in sport and supports their personal development.
