The fifth Mattoni Liberec Nature Run 2022 took place on Saturday and was accompanied by showers. More than 2000 runners did not miss running through the treacherous granite quarry, running down forest paths with roots, magical trails in the Jizera Mountains and popular family run. Vít Pavlišta was the fastest on the 22-kilometer route with an elevation gain of 782 meters. “It was very pleasant, but a bit slippery in some spots. I was careful not to fall during the race. But I enjoyed it,” Pavlišta said at the finish. Tereza Novotná dominated the women’s race. Many families also came to Liberec and enjoyed the dm Family Run. This popular race closed this year’s season of the RunCzech running events.
Those who came to Liberec on Saturday could not miss the runners with starting numbers. The route led from the Dr. Edvard Beneš Square through the Zoo to the Bedřichov Dam. Vít Pavlišta was the fastest one, having won just like last year. “Due to the showers it was not as pleasant as the last time in the sunshine. However, I ran very well, no one was sticking to me from behind, I kept my pace,” Pavlišta said, reaching a time of 1:18:32. That is almost four minutes faster than in the previous year.
“It’s hard to compare because the course was changed a bit. But I felt strong until the end. I like the cold weather, but it’s a bit more challenging when it is raining – it’s hard to choose the right running shoes. I wore road shoes because the course was made mostly of asphalt. I had to be careful when running down,” the winner of this year’s Mattoni Liberec Nature Run revealed. Jakub Stejskal came second with a time of 1:24:59. “It was very hard, especially mentally. I knew my next competitor was close behind me and I didn’t want to lose the second place,” Stejskal added. Zbyšek Lhota finished third.
Tereza Novotná from AK Olymp Brno won the women’s 22 km race with a time of 1:35:44. Lucie Pavlištová from Slovan Liberec finished second and Zuzana Kotěšovcová was third. The participants had also a choice of a shorter distance of 12 kilometers. Jáchym Kovář from the Mizuno team became the fastest man on the 12 km course. “I ran relatively well because after two kilometers I started running alone and could set my own pace,” the winner with a time of 41:07 added. Jana Pekařová from TJ Turnov was the fastest among the women with a time of 48 minutes. “It was very difficult, quite slippery. I was afraid of getting hurt. The weather was good because I didn’t even need any refreshment,” Pekařová added, planning on preparing for the World Junior Orienteering Championships.
The dm family run was also successful. Around 700 parents with their children attended in Liberec, the square was full. “We are happy that this was successful. We had more participants than last year when the weather was even much better. It shows that many families with children are increasingly interested in these events,” said Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech organizing committee.
