The most visited Czech spa town will transform into the center of European running on Saturday, May 16. The Mattoni Running Festival Karlovy Vary 2026 reports fully filled capacities for the main races and promises a battle for records in unique settings listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Nearly 9,000 runners will stand at the start in competitive and non-competitive categories.
Karlovy Vary is not just a symbol of the spa industry, but since 2013, also a permanent part of the world running map. This year’s 13th edition (in 2020, a substitute Runway Run took place at Karlovy Vary Airport due to the pandemic) bears the prestigious World Athletics Road Race Label and confirms its status as one of the most beautiful courses in Europe. Carlo Capalbo, chairman of the RunCzech organizing committee, sees it the same way:
“Karlovy Vary is an absolute unique for us and not only us. Running along the colonnade in settings that rightfully belong on the UNESCO World Heritage list is an experience unparalleled in Europe. This year’s edition and the participation of runners from more than sixty countries confirms that we have managed to create a true Running Festival here.”
Interest in running in Karlovy Vary has exceeded expectations. All competitive categories, the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon, relays, and the Varyáda 10 km Run, are at their maximum capacity. Thus, over 6,000 runners will be featured in the half marathon, the ten-kilometer race, and the relays, with another approximately 2,500 in non-competitive runs. Traditionally, there will be a slight majority of men in the half marathon, with a ratio of 60% men and 40% women. Interestingly, however, there is a majority of women (59%) on the ten-kilometer course.
Runners from a total of 64 countries are heading to Karlovy Vary, making up 17% of the starting field. The most represented are runners from Slovakia, Germany, Austria, and Poland. Most Czech runners will arrive from Prague (over 1,400), with strong representation from the Karlovy Vary and Central Bohemian regions. At the start, it will be possible to meet, for example, Paralympic swimmer David Kratochvíl or influencer Dominika Branišová.
The Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon is also this year’s second opportunity to start or expand one’s collection of completed RunCzech Halfs. This project was created last year and connects all RunCzech half marathons into one series; runners have 36 months to complete all five races in the series. Their reward is a special medal and induction into the RunCzech Halfs Hall of Fame.
The Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon is the first stop of the EuroHeroes 2026 series, which focuses on supporting European elite runners. The announced starting field promises a high pace, with five men boasting personal bests below the current European race record. Among the main favorites will be German athlete Jan Lukas Becker with a great personal maximum of 1:01:20 from Barcelona this year, or Italian Nikolas Loss, who completed the Gent Brugge Half Marathon in 1:02:28 in March.
Among the women, the top aspirants for victory are Spaniards Meritxell Soler and Caroline Robles, both with times under 1:10. The 33-year-old Soler ran her maximum of 1:09:30 in Berlin this year, while Robles has a personal best only 8 seconds slower from last year’s Barcelona.
Great attention will be focused on the Czech colors. Damián Vích, the current Czech record holder in this race (1:04:23 from 2025) and a member of the RunCzech Racing Team, will be present. Among the women, the domestic maximum is held by Eva Vrabcová Nývltová, who ran a time of 1:11:54 in 2018; this time in Karlovy Vary, she will not only be the coach for Friday’s shakeout run but will also take to the course herself. Other notable names include Jiří Homoláč, Ondřej Fejfar, and Michaela Čepová, who ran 1:13:07 in Prague this March.
The winners can look forward to unique glass trophies from the Ajeto glass studio, which also produces prizes for the Tour de France. Notably, the oldest participants of the half marathon are a married couple from Great Britain, Trevor and Wendy Wallinger, who will run at the ages of 78 and 74, respectively.
The run in Karlovy Vary also has a strong charitable dimension. The main partner is the AutTalk Endowment Fund, symbolized by a blue heart. The fund helps families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Runners will set out on the identical route as last year, considered one of the most attractive in the Czech Republic. The start and finish are located near Hotel Thermal. The route leads participants through the historical center across the Vřídelní Colonnade, past the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, the Imperial Spa, Grandhotel Pupp, and all the way to Poštovní dvůr (Postal Court). For those not seeking personal bests, the dm family run and the dm bambini run are prepared.
RunCzech works closely with the Emergency Medical Services of the Karlovy Vary Region. There will be 13 medical stations, two ambulances, and four bike patrols with defibrillators (AED). Refreshments will be provided at 6 stations with Mattoni water and ionic drinks. On the day of the race, public transport in the city is free for all runners upon presentation of their starting number.
Mattoni Running Festival Karlovy Vary 2026 Program:
FRIDAY, May 15
- 12:00 – 20:00: Running Expo (Hotel Thermal)
- 17:00: Shakeout Run (Hotel Thermal)
SATURDAY, May 16
- 08:30 – 16:00: Running Expo (Hotel Thermal)
- 14:00: Varyáda 10k Run
- 16:00: dm family mile
- 17:00: dm bambini run
- 18:00: Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary
