Significant economic impact and a strengthened international profile for the capital city, all in the wonderful atmosphere of evening Prague. That is how the Mayor of the Czech capital, Bohuslav Svoboda, views Saturday’s Birell Grand Prix Prague with its two traditional and iconic races.
“Thanks to RunCzech and hundreds of volunteers, we connect sport, city, and the community. That’s the story we want to tell about Prague,” says Mayor Svoboda, a lifelong sports enthusiast who regularly attends RunCzech events.
This year, the Birell 10K Night Race and adidas Women’s 5K Run will take place on the 6 September in the heart of Prague.
As part of the next installment of the RunCzech series, the Birell 10K and the adidas Women’s 5K will take place on the first Saturday of September. How do you perceive these two events?
I see them as a celebration of movement and fair competition, bringing together elite athletes with thousands of recreational runners right in the historic center of Prague. The Birell 10K Night Race brings the unique atmosphere of the city after dark, while the adidas Women’s 5k Run does an excellent job of supporting girls and women in sport. For Prague, it is also an opportunity to present itself as a capital where people live actively and safely: the city works closely with the organizers, coordinating with the Municipal Police, the Prague Public Transit Company, and the Technical Road Administration to ensure the race runs smoothly for participants while minimizing inconvenience for residents. Thanks to RunCzech and hundreds of volunteers, we succeed in linking sport, city, and community. And that is exactly the story we want to tell in Prague.
Just among active runners, ten thousand will take to the streets in the center of Prague. To that we can add their companions, friends, and family members. Spectators and tourists will be cheering all along the course. What benefits does such a mass event bring to Prague?
It is a strong economic and reputational boost: fuller hotels and services, beautiful footage of Prague shared worldwide, and motivation for thousands of people to be active. Traffic restrictions are kept short and communicated in advance. That is why the benefits for the city clearly outweigh the inconveniences.
In 2017, for the first time in athletics history, the 30-minute barrier was broken in the women’s road 10K in Prague. The result and the race footage amazed the whole world. What impact did such a extraordinary sports achievement have on the host city’s international reputation?
That performance made Prague a synonym for fast road races and a reliable world-class organizer. The footage from the race spread across media and social networks, which significantly strengthened the city’s international standing, attracted top athletes, partners, and tourists, and gave RunCzech a strong brand that continues to benefit other sporting events in the capital.
This year’s edition of the Birell 10K Night Race was designed primarily for the domestic running elite, who will even be aiming to break the national record. What do you expect from the best Czech long-distance runners?
I expect a fast race and personal bests. Evening Prague can push the domestic elite to exceptional performances. Vích, Vebr, and Zajíc are in great shape, and if the weather and pace work out, an attack on the national record is realistic. We will add top-level organization and atmosphere to that.
You are known as a great supporter and promoter of sports, and you yourself were once a top-level athlete. What is your personal relationship to athletics, especially to long-distance running?
I see athletics as the foundation stone of sport, and running as the most accessible form of prevention. What I admire most is endurance: the ability to keep the pace, to work with your mind and with pain, and to be fair both to your opponents and to yourself. That is why I enjoy the races in the streets of Prague. They bring emotions, community, and excellent promotion of healthy movement.
What are you most looking forward to on Saturday, September 6?
The atmosphere of Prague at night and the battle among our top runners for the national record – right down to the last meter.
