All 1 500 start numbers for the main event were snapped up like hot cakes two months in advance of the race. Meanwhile of the 600 start numbers released for the 3 km Mattoni Family Run, only a few free spaces remain. “We’ve selected the most pleasant and interesting course possible. Runners are sure to love it,” Race Director, Václav Skřivánek boasts. The venue for both the start and finish line has been confirmed as Liberation Square, located next to the post office. The main race kicks off at 6 pm with the Mattoni Family run scheduled to start two hours earlier.

With just fifty thousand inhabitants, Karlovy Vary currently ranks as the smallest city to join the RunCzech race series so far. Himself a runner having completed the Volkswagen Prague Marathon just two weeks ago with a time of 3:33, City Mayor, Petr Kulhánek, revealed: “By hosting this half marathon, the city will earn itself a spot on the sporting map of the world. We’ve seen a great many more people out running over the past six months - it’s really spurred locals on to take up the sport.”  Naturally Kulhánek won’t be missing at the start line, either.

“Running is a huge phenomenon, providing greater visibility to the entire region and we’re thrilled to be able to offer our support,” Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region, Josef Novotný added.

“The Czech regions are really beautiful and we’re keen for tourists to gain knowledge about the country extending beyond Prague,” President of the Organising Committee, Carlo Capablo revealed. We value the huge level of support we have from both the city as well as the region. We’re in the process of launching an important tradition here and are bursting at the seams in suspense and anticipation. Our goal is to put together a prestigious sports event which will be broadcast to the world. And we will do our utmost to ensure it is awarded an IAAF Quality Label sometime in the very near future. More than anything, however, we want to smash the Richter scale of fun out there tomorrow. It’s important for us to make sport accessible to normal people, to see them laugh and out enjoying all life has to offer,” he added.

Meanwhile as General Director of Karlovarský minerální vody, a company which has supported the RunCzech distance runs right from the start, Alessandro Pasquale is also making final preparations for tomorrow: “After nineteen years of cooperating with Prague International Marathon, we are returning to our roots here in Karlovy Vary, and that’s really important for us. I’m also planning on racing and hope I’ll get through it.”

The Thermal SPA hotel has been designated as the main base for the half marathon race where elite runners are already staying and getting ready for tomorrow.  The main favourite to win, Daniel Wanjiru wasn’t shy about revealing his enthusiasm: “I really like it here and am planning on heading out to check out the course later.” He will be celebrating his 31^st birthday the day after the race. “I’m not at all put off by the cooler climate as I spend a lot of time in Austria where I also run at high altitudes.”

His compatriot, 31-year old Iness Chepkesis Chenonge is the most famous of the international runners taking part. Her accolades include finishing sixth in the 5 000 metres run as part of the 2009 Berlin World Championships. “I’m looking forward to getting to know a new city, I’m sure it’s a great place to run.”  A  total of 9 300 Euros is available in prize money with 20 000 CZK set aside for Czech athletes, plus additional sums in bonuses for any record times.

“I’m going to try and smash my personal maximum of 1:07. But I’m also going to need a bit of luck to make that work,” a smiling Ondřej Fejfar revealed who is the best Czech to feature at the start line. When it comes to the women, Ivana Sekyrová hailing from nearby Solokov, will be faced with the challenge of competing against rival, Petra Kamínková.

The hockey goalie and former national team representative, Lukáš Mensator is also chasing after his own goal.  “I was talked into signing up back in February already and hope I’ll enjoy it. I have lots of people behind me who believe I can do it, plus lots who have put the fear of God through me. The longest I’ve ever managed to run so far is ten kilometres and I’ll be heading out onto the course with a great deal of respect. But hopefully I’ll manage to finish in under two hours,” he reveals. Three of his former co-players from the local club will be running a relay along with their assistant trainer, Karel Mlejnek.

Another star to look out is three-time Olympic cross-country skiing medallist, Lukáš Bauer who hails from the nearby town of Boží Dar.  Due to recuperating from surgery on his heel, he won’t be able to take part himself but will be assigned the important task of starting off the race.

Roughly 21% of participants will be running the half marathon for the first time there tomorrow, 31 % of those taking part make up women, 9 % foreigners spanning twenty different nationalities with the majority hailing from Slovakia, Germany and Russia. The oldest male to take part is 74-year old František Feňa with Eva Potůčková representing the oldest female (66 years old).

Tomáš Nohejl
RunCzech, Media Service