Ethiopian Worku Is the King of the Birell Grand Prix, and Italian Yaremchuk Set a European Course Record
Ethiopian Tadese Worku has become the champion of the Birell Prague Grand Prix. One of the most extraordinary talents in world athletics won the Birell 10K race in 27:35. Among the women, Kenya's Janeth Chepngetich managed to get first to the finish line in 30:21. At the same time, Italy's Sofia Yaremchuk set the European course record of 32:14, just two seconds behind the Italian national record. The Czech winners were Damián Vích (29:31) of RunCzech Racing, and Tereza Hrochová (33:49). More than 6 500 runners enjoyed both the Birell 10K race and adidas women's race 5k, which held the auspices of the First Lady Eva Pavlova.
"I don't know which performance to applaud more. Here, we have a new women's European course record and many other fast times. The first five men were under 28 minutes, and the first three women were under 31 minutes! It turns out that speeding up the course has been good for us. I hope everyone enjoyed both races in the beautiful evening atmosphere," said Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech Organising Committee.
As expected, Tadese Worku shot out of the starting gate like an arrow and showed everyone his back. "It was a tough race. The spectators drove us to the finish line, which helped me a lot. I'm thrilled with the win. I'm very happy," said Worku. The twenty-one-year-old Ethiopian, who holds the world record of 26:56, was challenged by Kenya's Alexander Mutiso (27:48), the king of this year's Prague International Marathon. Vincent Kigen, a member of the RunCzech Racing team, finished third and established his new PB with 27:50.
Records were broken in the women's category, with all three top women breaking their personal bests. Kenya's Janeth Chepngetich dominated, improving her personal best by seven seconds and reaching the sixth-best time in the world this year. "I am pleased. Everything here
and the atmosphere was amazing," said the second woman in this year's Prague Half Marathon. 24 seconds behind the winner was Cintia Chepngeno (30:45), and the third was also Kenya's Vivian Melly (30:58).
Italian Sofiia Yaremchuk broke the European course record and missed the Italian national record by two seconds. "Every record is very pleasing. The course here is very fast, and the spectators are fantastic," said the native Ukrainian, who only got her Italian passport two years ago. The Czech female endurance runner, Tereza Hrochova (33:49), was just three seconds behind. "I could improve at running in Prague, but I didn't feel comfortable, although the atmosphere was beautiful. I love RunCzech races, and whenever I can, I gladly come," said Hrochová. Marcela Joglová was the second Czech finisher (35:06), followed by Tereza Novotná (35:42).
Speeding up the race course proved to be a game changing decision. Three out of five top male athletes improved their personal bests. On the women's side, three out of five did the same. Czech Olympian Marcela Joglova beat her personal best after returning to road racing after the injury.
All the fantastic results only confirms that the tracks in Prague are fast, competitive, and world-class, with most prominent athletes frequently coming back.
