A promising start, unexpected health complications, but also valuable lessons and great determination for the future. That is what the past season looked like for the RunCzech Racing Team (RCRT). Although the season was significantly affected by injuries to key athletes, the team members showed fighting spirit and team spirit. The project under the leadership of Eva Vrabcová Nývltová is now looking ahead to the next period with a clear vision: to build not only on top performance, but also on a strong mindset, professionalism, and mutual solidarity.
The beginning of the year raised high hopes in the RunCzech Racing Team camp, but the final tally brings a sober perspective. During the year, the team was slowed down by health troubles that affected both individual preparation and overall team output.
“I evaluate this season as 50/50. The beginning was very promising and the team entered the season with good performances and expectations. Unfortunately, it was subsequently significantly affected by injuries, which influenced not only the individual preparation of individual runners, but also the overall functioning and results of the team. However, we have laid good foundations that we can build upon to be even better next season,” looks back on the past months project coordinator and former successful national team representative Eva Vrabcová Nývltová.
Health struggles and bright moments: Vebr looks ahead to Valencia, Vích prepares for marathon debut
One of the athletes whose plans were thwarted by health issues was Patrik Vebr. In his training log, he counted a total of 91 days with health limitations. Despite this, he managed to deliver performances that confirm his high level – among other things, he pushed his time at the Birell 10k Race Prague under 30 minutes (his 3rd best performance overall) and at the Vodafone Prague Marathon he fulfilled the role of a pacemaker, where he successfully guided a group of women all the way to overall victory.
“I assess the entire season neutrally; unfortunately, my health didn’t allow me to reach top performances. I consider those very 91 days when I was health-indisposed and couldn’t fully do what I love most of all to be the most demanding,” admits Vebr. However, the runner remains optimistic and is directing all his energy toward the December marathon in Valencia. “After last year’s misfortune when my muscle cramped up the day before the race, I believe that after a year’s wait I will take the result back with interest. If I managed to run a time under 2:13, it would mean the possibility of starting at the European Road Running Championships.”
Damián Vích does not hide mixed feelings either. The biggest disappointment for him was missing out on the European Championships in Birmingham after the national championship in Plzeň; nevertheless, he managed to showcase impressive performances on Czech roads. He defended his victory at the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon and became the best Czech at the Birell 10k Race Prague as well as at the Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon, and delivered a spirited performance at the Zlatá Tretra during an attempt at the national record.
“The atmosphere at Czech races is truly unbeatable for me and I always enjoy it very much. Although the results were not entirely according to my expectations, during the season I made a coaching change that brought me new motivation for further work,” explains Vích. Mentally, the hardest period for him was precisely the time after the championship in Plzeň, but he is happy with the team’s reaction and his own progress: “During my cooperation with RunCzech, I have made incredible progress in terms of performance, managed to set personal bests at all distances, and overall move to a completely different level. I truly appreciate this support and believe it will continue to help everyone on the team.”
Newcomers faced the test: A lightning-fast return from the Pacific and a debut in Naples
The season also brought the integration of new faces, Jan Friš and Bára Stýblová. Friš showed great potential and training synergy with Damián Vích, although his debut year in RCRT colors was also slowed down by injury. Bára Stýblová jumped into the racing routine at the end of May and, after a lightning return from New Zealand, delighted with a great performance at the Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon.
“Honza delivered very high-quality performances at the beginning of the season and fit into the team excellently. Bára joined the team later, and this year was more of an introductory and trial year in her case. I think only next season will show in which direction her cooperation with the team will head,” evaluates Vrabcová Nývltová regarding the newcomers.
For Bára Stýblová, the beginning in the RunCzech Racing Team was full of new experiences. In České Budějovice, she achieved a great time despite the demanding jet lag: “It was my first better race after returning from New Zealand; at first, I struggled to cope with the time difference. And this was the first time I felt good running again, so the result means all the more to me. I was happy with it, and it was a pleasant return to racing in Czechia.” She then experienced a true test of willpower at the Birell 10k Race Prague: “Unfortunately, right on the day of the race, I caught a stomach virus and before the start my stomach hurt extremely. The race was really demanding, and after crossing the finish line I was completely exhausted. Despite that, I’m glad I managed to finish it. I got to know myself a bit better again because of it.”
Jan Friš, on the other hand, made his half marathon debut abroad, and only after that was followed by a start on home soil. “I enjoyed both races, but Naples was special because it was my first half marathon. The Generali Prague Half Marathon, on the other hand, was a home race where I was already struggling a bit with an injury, which is why the performance wasn’t as good as I would have wished,” admits Friš. Despite his health troubles, he actively got involved in the team’s operations: “I think that despite the injury, I was heavily involved in RC projects and attended all available events, so I hope that it was perceived positively from the other side as well.”
Their arrival is also welcomed by experienced colleagues. “Both Honza and Barča are very high-quality runners who will definitely refresh the team. I know that Honza unfortunately also struggled with health issues for most of the season, but I believe he is also already on the right track and next year we will all shine,” adds Patrik Vebr.
Plans for 2027: Marathon challenges, record attempts, and new rules for RCRT
As the new year approaches, all team members have set clear athletic challenges for themselves. A fundamental career shift awaits Damián Vích: “My coach and I have a big goal ahead of us, which is the marathon. It will be a brand new challenge for us, and I would love to make my debut at the Vodafone Prague Marathon. Everything is still under negotiation, but I am really looking forward to this new chapter.”
Jan Friš is also planning his marathon premiere: “Next year, if everything goes according to plan and health permits, I would like to debut on the marathon distance. At the same time, I want to get more involved in EuroHeroes in the half marathon and win the Birell 10k Race in September. I would like to push my personal bests both in the 10 km and definitely in the half marathon.” Bára Stýblová looks forward to improving her personal bests on the road and making her debut at the Generali Prague Half Marathon. Alongside December’s Valencia, Patrik Vebr will focus on improving his personal records over 10 km and half marathon distances as preparation for further marathon performances.
The management of the RunCzech Racing Team will meet in the coming days to discuss the strategy for the upcoming 2027 season. A possible expansion of the squad is also on the table, which, however, would be subject to strict rules. “We will discuss specific plans for 2027 in the coming days. Personally, I would be happy if the team expanded. This season has shown us how important it is to have greater runner representation, not only with regard to injuries, but also with respect to individual racing schedules and opportunities to represent the team,” explains Eva Vrabcová Nývltová, adding emphatically: “RCRT is an elite team, and therefore any potential expansion should have clear rules. Alongside appropriate performance level, mentality, professionalism, motivation, and a genuine desire to push one’s own limits and be the best are also important to me.”
According to its coordinator, the project should connect athletes even more closely with the community and RunCzech events themselves in the coming period. “Into the next period, we should carry forward the lesson of how we want to build and present RCRT. Being part of an elite team does not mean only achieving quality results, but also taking on a certain responsibility, representing its values, and actively participating in its operations. I also consider closer connection between runners and RunCzech projects and races to be important. In the future, I would like to see an even stronger sense of belonging in the team, greater engagement, and a shared motivation to push RCRT further. Performance is the foundation, but without the right mindset, attitude, and team spirit, in my opinion, a long-term successful elite team cannot function,” concludes Eva Vrabcová Nývltová.
