But the largest running race in the Czech Republic will still present a very strong field of elite athletes.

Peres Jepchirchir can’t travel to the Czech Republic due to a serious infection. “Initially the doctors diagnosed Peres with malaria, but after blood tests they found she was suffering from typhoid fever which eliminated her from the race without discussion”, explained her manager, Gianni Demadonna. “ Woknesh’s problem is not as serious, during training she sprained her ankle, and she is not able to train so she can’t come to Prague.” said Demadonna.

“I am naturally not happy with this news, but this is sport, and things like that do happen. I wish both of the girls a quick recovery and I am looking forward, to them coming to another of our races. Peres has already promised us that if her recovery goes well, she will come to the Czech Republic later this year.“ said Carlo Capalbo, the president of RunCzech Running League.

Despite the absence of the two women the starting field of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon is still very competitive. Spectators can look forward to seeing the defending Champion, Violah Jepchumba, who set an event record last year of 1:05:51, the fastest time in the World in 2016. The rising stars of RunCzech Racing Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Gladys Chesir and American, Jordan Hasay will also look for a podium finish. There are no changes in the men’s start list, so in Prague you will still see a world record holder for 10K and 15K, Leonard Patrick Komon, and three other sub one hour runners; Barselius Kipyego, Geoffrey Yegon, and Vincent Yator. along with Rio Olympic medalists, Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia and Galen Rupp from America.

Czech fans will watch for the results of the fastest domestic woman, Eva Vrabcová and Czech elite male athletes, Jiří Homoláč, Vit Pavlišta and Jan Kreisinger. 11,500 runners will start from Jan Palach Square on Saturday April 1st at 10 a.m. in the 19th edition of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon.

 

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