One of the most prestigious athletic events in the Czech Republic knows its winners. Hicham Amghar from Morocco became the king of the Birell 10K Race with a time of 27:24, beating Ethiopian Tades Worku Gebresilase by a second in a thrilling finish, while Kenyan Irine Chepet Cheptai triumphed among the women with a time of 30:16. Patrik Vebr (30:00) was the best Czech at the 25th anniversary edition of the Birell 10K Race, a race that boasts the World Athletics Label Road Race award, while Tereza Hrochova (33:42) was the first Czech female finisher. Five personal and one national record fell among the Top 10 men. Even six personal bests fell in the women’s top ten. But it wasn’t just about the performances, I think that all the participants enjoyed the race in the magical atmosphere of the evening in Prague,” said Carlo Capalbo, Chairman of the RunCzech Organizing Committee.
The Birell Prague Grand Prix has returned to the centre of the capital city after a three-year hiatus caused by Covid-19. And running fans could not have asked for a better comeback. The starting list of the Birell 10K Race was full of great names, with the world record holder on this distance and a former member of the home team RunCzech Racing Rhonex Kipruto as the biggest favourite. Unexpectedly, though, he finished at the 8th place.
Hicham Amghar from Morocco was the best athlete on the ten-kilometre course which started at the Náměstí Republiky in the centre of Prague . “I am very happy because I did not expect this result at all. I spent the night at the airport because of a bad flight connection, so I came to Prague more just to run and I didn’t have any big expectations. But it was a fantastic race, great weather and most of all incredible fans. I am thrilled, it was wonderful, and I definitely want to come back to Prague,” said the 28-year-old pro athlete. In 2018, he ran his personal best in Prague, and now he bet it here again. “This is my third time here and it has been definitely the best race so far. This race is amazing, one of the fastest in the world, and that suits me,” the champion added. The Ethiopian Tadese Worku Gebresilase (27:25) sprinted as the second behind the winner, followed by the Kenyan Patrick Kabirech Mosin (27:27) also making his way to the podium.
The Czech Patrik Vebr lost 2 minutes and 36 seconds to the winner. And his victory was not expected. “There was a group of us and it worked out best for me. Prague at night is absolutely great, the fans along the course were fantastic,” Vebr exulted. Tereza Hrochova was the fastest Czech woman. “The atmosphere was amazing, the spectators drove us forward, it was a wonderful race,” the Czech winner beamed.
Irine Chepet Cheptai, the top favourite among the women, won the triumph. “The weather was great for the race, it made a huge difference against the terrible weather during the spring Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in April. I enjoyed a great run and the fans were wonderful too. It was just a beautiful race and I definitely want to return to Prague,” the 30-year-old Kenyan said. The second place went to Jesca Chelangat (30:23), followed by Faith Cherono as the third one (30:56).
Nearly 5,500 runners took off for the Birell 10k Race, whose charity partner was the non-profit organization Cesta za snem, among them, for example, also the Mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib. Starting at 6 pm., the adidas Women´s Race 5 km, which was associated with the non-profit organization Loono and in which over two thousand female competitors took part, was on the program. “This race in the magical setting of early evening Prague was once again full of incredible energy. I believe all the ladies have had a wonderful experience,” Capalbo added.
