The largest running event in Central Europe reports a historically record-breaking number of participants. The maximum capacity of 17,000 runners for the Generali Prague Half Marathon was sold out just 2 hours and 23 minutes after registration opened, with interest in the iconic event being approximately six times higher. “A thousand more participants than last year will run through our beautiful city; many will break their personal records and push their limits. I wish for every one of them that the race becomes an unforgettable experience,” said Carlo Capalbo, Chairman of the RunCzech organizing committee. Prague hosts this traditional running festival on the last Saturday of March.
Generali Prague Half Marathon Has Offered World Records
One of the most popular half marathons on the planet has long boasted the World Athletics Elite Label Road Races quality mark. The Prague race also belongs to the six elite European half marathons that form the SuperHalfs series. Historic athletic performances are common at the Generali Prague Half Marathon. When the Czech capital announced on April 1, 2017, that the 65-minute barrier in the women’s category had been broken for the first time in history, it was no April Fool’s joke. Kenyan Joyceline Jepkosgei ran a record time of 1:04:51. Three years later, another world record fell in Prague. During the “COVID” era, with a specialized start format, Kenyan star Peres Jepchirchir set the world’s best performance (1:05:34) in an all-women’s race.
Favorites with Personal Bests Under 59 Minutes
The 26th edition of the Generali Prague Half Marathon brings an elite field of breathtaking strength. In the men’s category, six endurance runners with personal bests under the “magic” one-hour mark will compete. Among the favorites, defending champion Rodrigue Kwizera stands out, having triumphed in Prague a year ago with a Burundi national record of 58:54. He has since improved his time to 58:38, just 14 seconds shy of the event record held by Sabastian Sawe. Another favorite capable of running under 59 minutes is Ethiopian Tadese Worku Gebresilase.
“The competition will be amazing and the atmosphere will be truly great,” commented Jan Friš, the top-ranked Czech runner on the start list. “My goal is to push my time from Naples ($1:05:22$) even lower. I believe Prague is the ideal place for that.” Other domestic stars include 14-time Czech champion Jiří Homoláč and mountain running champion Matěj Zima. Running icons Vít Pavlišta and Patrik Vebr will serve as pacemakers for the women’s race.
Women to Attack the World Top 5
The primary contenders for victory at the Generali Prague Half Marathon will be two Kenyan athletes. Jesca Chelangat will start with the best personal record, having completed a half marathon in Valencia two years ago with a time of 1:06:13. Caroline Makanti Gitonga, the third-ranked woman in the world standings for the 10 km road race, trails her by only 13 seconds. She surged to this high position following a sensational triumph in Castellón, Spain, with a time of 29:34 min. Both favorites dream of breaking the 66-minute barrier, which would place them in the top five of this year’s half marathon world rankings.
From the Czech elite, Tereza Hrochová is heading to Prague. The participant of two Olympic marathons ranks fourth in the all-time Czech standings with a time of 1:11:38. It is precisely this personal record from the season before last that she intends to attack in Prague. “It’s not the peak of the season for me, but I want to go for a personal best; I’d like to run at a brisk pace of 3 minutes and 20 seconds per kilometer,” Tereza described her plans. “It will also depend on the conditions, but in any case, the strong competition and the atmosphere, which is great in Prague, will help. When the spectators push you like that, you simply don’t allow yourself to let up even a bit, your mind stays focused, and there’s no risk of just ‘trudging’ along.” Czech athletics will also be represented in the elite field by the steadily improving Michaela Čepová and her coach, European Championship marathon bronze medalist Eva Vrabcová Nývltová.
Generali Prague Half Marathon will start on Saturday, March 28, at 10:00 AM from the main entrance of the Holešovice Market (Holešovická tržnice).
Generali Prague Half Marathon:
- Edition: 26th
- Date: Saturday, March 28, start at 10:00 AM
- Start & Finish: Main entrance to the Holešovice Market (Holešovická tržnice)
- Capacity: 17,000 (Sold out)
- Men’s Event Record: 58:24 – Sabastian Sawe, KEN (2024)
- Women’s Event Record: 1:04:52 – Joyceline Jepkosgei, KEN (2017)
- Best Czech Performance (Men): 1:03:23 – Jiří Homoláč (2017)
- Best Czech Performance (Women): 1:11:01 – Eva Vrabcová Nývltová (2018)
