The organizers of September’s 10k Birell Grand Prix in Prague, which is part of the RunCzech running series, announced the first names of elite competitors for this year’s edition today. Leading the starting field will be top world distance runners from Africa and South America, some of whom already have previous experience with Prague races.
In the men’s category, Burundi native and long-term Spain resident Rodrigue Kwizera has confirmed his participation. His personal best on the 10K road race is 26:56 minutes, which places him in the historical tables among the fastest men in the world with the 13th fastest time in history. Kwizera, who is among the world elite in cross-country and road running, has already raced successfully in Prague at RunCzech events in the past and is returning to a familiar environment. His name thus appears next to the race record (58:14) of the Generali Prague Half Marathon, where this year he broke the original maximum of Sebastian Sawe, the first runner in history to manage a marathon under 2 hours.
Kwizera can also attack the 10K race record, which has stood at 27:02 since 2019 thanks to Geoffrey Koech from Kenya. That Kwizera is in excellent form was proven in May in Madrid, when he ran 10K in a time of 26:01, but due to the excessive gradient of the course, this exceptional performance could not be recognized as an official world record. Another prominent figure on the starting list will be Harbert Kibet from Uganda, who holds the fastest official time of this year, 26:39, from the February race in Castellón, Spain. Uruguayan runner and South American record holder Santiago Catrofe (27:16) consistently asserts himself in strong international competition both on the track and in road events, and he himself promises, in addition to attacking top positions, an effort to improve his national record. The Kenyan running school will then be represented by Victor Kipruto Kiprono with a personal best of 27:10, and Owen Kapkama, who is returning to Prague after half a year. He last set a personal record here during the Generali Prague Half Marathon with a time of 58:59.
In the women’s elite category, the main announced favorite is Ethiopian Likina Amebaw with a personal best of 29:56. She belongs to the narrow world elite and confirmed her status a few weeks ago when she won the Diamond League race in Rome. Her main rival should be the Kenyan Caroline Gitonga (29:34 – Castellón 2026), winner of this year’s Generali Prague Half Marathon. An interesting point is also the start of her twin sister, Purity Kajuju Gitonga, with a personal record of 30:04. The athletes can also attack the race record, which has been held since 2017 by global superstar Joyciline Jepkosgei from Kenya. Her time of 29:43 is still the 13th fastest time in history to this day. Interesting names to watch will also be their compatriots Clare Ndiwa, the third woman from this year’s race in Valencia where she ran in 29:49, and Miriam Chebet, who recorded a time of 30:08 in the same race.
The course of the Birell Grand Prix is traditionally designed as very fast, which is also confirmed by the race’s historical statistics. The event holds the World Athletics Elite Label Road Race quality mark, which guarantees the fulfillment of strict organizational and anti-doping criteria and the participation of runners with international renown. The complete starting list, including other names, will be published in the coming weeks.
