For 28 years, RunCzech has been organising the Junior Marathon, a long-standing initiative dedicated to promoting physical activity, teamwork and a positive attitude towards sport among secondary school students.
The Junior Marathon is built on a simple but important principle: every student should have the opportunity to take part, regardless of their financial circumstances. Participation has therefore remained completely free of charge throughout the project’s history. RunCzech covers all associated organisational costs, ensuring that schools and students can participate without financial barriers and that the initiative remains non-commercial in its purpose and spirit.
The event gives students the opportunity to experience the excitement of competition while developing teamwork, perseverance, mutual respect and a sense of shared achievement. Teams of ten students work together to complete the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres, with each participant contributing their part to the team’s overall performance. The format encourages young people to stay active, support one another and discover the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Over the years, the Junior Marathon has become the largest running event for secondary schools in the Czech Republic, connecting students from across the country through a shared passion for sport. The best teams from the regional semi-finals advance to the final, held as part of the prestigious Prague International Marathon, giving young runners the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a major international sporting event.
By investing its own resources in the organisation of the Junior Marathon, RunCzech demonstrates its long-term commitment to young people, equal access to sport and the development of healthier, more active communities. The project is not driven by commercial objectives, but by the belief that sport can have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the next generation.
For RunCzech, the Junior Marathon is more than a sporting competition. It is a long-term investment in young people, community spirit and the future of sport.
