Birell Prague Grand Prix earns itself a place among IAAF Gold races
Three Golds, three Silvers. This is how the work of RunCzech Running League organisers has been recognised in the running world.
“The latest confirmation of a Gold Label being awarded for September’s Birell Prague Grand Prix is another great honour for us, but also a commitment. We mustn’t rest on our laurels, however” revealed Carlo Capalbo, President of RunCzech Running League Organising Team.
The 10k Race, which takes place as part of the Birell Prague Grand Prix, ranks as one of the most prestigious 10 km road races in terms of organisational standard and participation by elite runners. With a finishing time of 27:35, last year’s winner, Daniel Chebii left an indelible 4th place on the world rankings of 2013, thus attesting to the “Golden” race quality. Kicking off one and a half hours before the 10k Race, a Women’s Race 5 km also formed part of the programme.
The success associated with picking up such an award has been reinforced by entering into cooperation with a new title partner – Birell.
Other RunCzech League races bearing the Gold Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations for some time now include the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon and the Volkswagen Prague Marathon which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Only 35 races around the globe currently boast the Gold Label, 3 of which are held in the Czech Republic under the name of RunCzech.
Czech races, awarded the Silver Labels include the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon, the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon and most recently, after just two years since its inception, the Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon. Along with St. Albany in the USA, these rank as the smallest cities in the world to have achieved such a rating.
Right now only the British Bupa Great Run, consisting of a total of 14 races held in places such as Edinburgh, Manchester and Ethiopia, boasts six labels of quality.
Following its second year, the 2014 Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon will be setting its sights on applying for the Silver award which will increase the overall number of labels to seven.
The IAAF Quality Label evaluates the organisational race quality, the number and level of elite runners from a specific number of countries, media service and anti-doping checks as well as other factors. Last year labels were awarded to 72 races from 28 countries, 5 of which formed part of RunCzech.
