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Prague, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic 🇨🇿, is situated in Bohemia, a historic region of Central Europe! 🇪🇺 Want another interesting fact? The race takes place in May, a time when the running conditions are optimal 🌞. So grab your sneakers and get ready for one of the most unforgettable sports competitions of your life! 🔥
Expect to meet several thousand runners in the "city of a hundred spires" if you decide to join this international event 🌍. Last year, there were more than 10,000 participants and over 300 relay teams! 🤝 As you can imagine, the atmosphere is absolutely electric! 🎉 Plenty of activities are planned along the route, against the backdrop of winding alleys that speak to the city's rich past 🌇. The main event, a majestic 42.195 km distance, awaits you to tackle it solo, in duo 🔗 or in relay. Runners from over fifty different nationalities will gather for this increasingly popular marathon, especially since the introduction of the 4.2 km kids' race, which attracts families! 👦🏼
The starting and finishing point is the Old Town Square 👵, right at the heart of the Czech capital's historical center📍. The course will take you through Prague and along the Vltava 💦, the country's longest river, which often places you right by its banks. You'll also pass over the Charles Bridge, see the Saint Vitus Cathedral, and the Prague Castle 🏰. These medieval and Gothic architectural wonders, along with the fabulous gardens of the imposing Imperial Castle, will surely leave you in awe, just like experiencing Prague will transport you through various epochs and cultures that have marked the city, thanks to its grandiose monuments ✨.
The marathon's course will also charm you with its minimal elevation gain, despite the city's hilly profile ⛰️. The race is open to all levels. Both beginners and professionals will find their stride, though it takes a lot of courage and training 🏋️♀️ to beat the records of Eliud Kiptanui (2 hours 5 minutes and 39 seconds) and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (2 hours 19 minutes and 46 seconds)! 🥵 Despite the course's apparent ease, do note that 1.5 km of the route will take you through the cobblestones of the medieval center (be mindful of your joints on this hard surface! 😮💨). However, it's all worth it 🕯️, as you'll likely witness one of the most beautiful starts and finishes in your running career 😍. Whether solo 👤 (thanks to the marathon), with family 👨👩👧👦 (thanks to the kids' races), or with friends (thanks to the relay races 🤝), this is an opportunity for an unforgettable experience!
We also recommend seizing the chance to extend your weekend and add some discoveries ✔️ to your adventure (even though the race has already started the process 😜). Animal lovers 🦁 can head to the Prague Zoo, which spans 45 hectares and is home to about 4,600 animals. For history buffs, there's plenty to choose from! Besides the aforementioned monuments, you can visit the Old Town Hall, home to the third-oldest medieval clock in the world 🕰️ and still in operation. If you're looking for a quintessential Czech neighborhood, Lesser Town is one of the city's most picturesque. Crossed by the ancient route of kings 🤴, it's the historic soul of Prague. Here you'll find shops 🛍️ and restaurants... 🍴 And that's great, because from a culinary standpoint, the country has a lot to offer! In the Czech Republic, it's customary to start with a good soup 🥣, like goulash, a beef-based dish. The svíčková na smetaně is another specialty, as is the vepřoknedlozelo (only for the strong-stomached 😂).
Well, we're not tour guides, after all 🙅. But, we are running specialists! And this time, you gotta trust our pragmatism and believe us when we say: this race is a must-have! 🏆
If you're looking to feast your eyes, you're in for a treat! 😉 The route of the Prague Marathon 🇨🇿 is iconic. The city itself is stunning, and you'll have the chance to run through an incredible setting! 🤘
The start 🚩 will take place at Wenceslas Square, right beneath the massive National Museum 🖼️. Head toward the Legion Bridge, where you'll cross the Vltava River 💦 for the first time—the longest river in the Czech Republic. On this bridge, you'll glide over the greenery of Střelecký Island Střelecký before arriving on the city's west bank 🌱.
Get ready to run a course filled with many turns 📐. The first is before the second km, continuing alongside the Petřín Gardens, a beautiful park 🌳. You'll tackle a gentle incline leading you to one of the course highlights: the Charles Bridge 🌟. Before that, you'll tread the cobbled streets leading to the Prague Castle 🏰. You'll be at km 3, breathless not from the run but from the breathtaking medieval architecture and statues 🦇.
Next, you'll cross the Mánes Bridge, before the last big turn that opens up a 4 km straightaway 🏃♂️. At km 8, you'll cross the Liben Bridge, heading towards your first substantial refreshment station 🥕. Re-enter the city center to soak up some history in the " Josefov " district, Prague's Jewish Quarter ✡️. Then, you'll head back towards the second highlight of this race, the Old Town Square! ✨ As you near the third water stop 💧, you'll pass by the starting point again. From there, you embark on another loop!
You'll be at your 15th km as you start the second half of the Prague Marathon 🌃. It begins in the south of the city, leading you across the Jiráskův Bridge. You'll find your second solid refreshment 🧀 before the Palacky Bridge. Yes, that’s a lot of bridges! 🌁 But that's precisely the charm of the race! As you descend, you'll start to move away from the riverside into the urban landscape of Prague 🏘️. A U-turn at km 19, continuing south for 3 km before looping back at the Palaky Bridge. Cross it one more time, heading north as you did in the first loop, to complete the final kilometers of the Prague Marathon. Finally, time to head down to the finish line! 🏁
Ready to push your limits on this extraordinary course? 💪
So, you're thinking about running the Prague Marathon in relay? 🤝 Great choice! It's truly the perfect course to experience with a partner.
Same route as the solo race, but for your team, it will be split into two parts. The first runner will cover the first 21 km to the south of Prague, crossing the Palacky Bridge and weaving through the streets of the city. The second runner will wait for the baton handoff in the Podolí neighborhood 🖍️. Once the exchange is completed, the second runner will tackle the remaining 21 km, crossing three different bridges. They will see the Charles Bridge, pass through the city center, and finish the race at Wenceslas Square! 😅
So, you're thinking about taking on the Prague Marathon as a relay team of four? 🤝 You've made a great choice—it's definitely the ideal course to enjoy with teammates!
It's the same route, but this time you get to share the experience with three others!
A race of 4.2 km is in store for the little ones who wish to follow in the footsteps of the grown-ups 😁.
The marathon will kick off at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
The exact location will be specified closer to the event. It's highly recommended to use public transportation, with the metro being the most convenient option. Cars must be parked at the P+R parking lots. More information will be updated later and can be found on the official Prague Public Transport website.
Stations will be located at several milestones and at the finish line. Runners are kindly requested to dispose of all waste in the designated areas and directly into the bins. This ensures efficient recycling.
You can pick up your bib number at the Marathon Expo, which will be open on Thursday, May 2 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Marathon Expo will take place at Výstaviště 170 00, 170 00 Praha 7-Bubeneč, Czech Republic.
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