Capping a third highly successful year, RunCzech, the organizer of the acclaimed Prague International Marathon and the Prague Half Marathon, co-organized this year’s edition of Adizero: Road to Records. The event was co-produced with the Berlin Marathon organization (SCC EVENTS) and act.3, hosted on the adidas company’s campus in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
adidas was inspired to host their inaugural event following RunCzech’s post-Covid “Restart,” a half marathon singularly focused on setting world records. And which resulted in a new womens world record being established. Following the success of the first Adizero venture, the company decided to make it an annual event. “It’s a great honor to have a company with the stature of adidas ask us to collaborate with them on such an important project,” says Carlo Capalbo, president of the RunCzech organizing committee. “RunCzech always strives to elevate the quality of our races, and to continually set higher and higher standards for our performance, much like the runners themselves. And fortunately for us, our races have been awarded WA labels, which tells us we’re doing something right! We want everything to be perfect. So does adidas. And so do all of our partners.“
Given that the aim of the event was to smash world records, the day was a huge success. In fact, records were set in the 5km, 10 km, and half marathon. Two U20 world records were set and six national records. The event was open to amateur runners, and the races drew roughly 1,000 participants.
Sebastian Sawe delivered a 26:49 performance in the 10km, and moved up to fifth on the men’s world 10km all-time list.
Medina Eisa achieved a world U20 5km record, narrowly edging out her compatriot Senbere Teferi for her third consecutive women’s 5km victory in Herzogenaurach, sprinting to a world U20 best of 14:46 and beating her rival in a photo finish.
Kenya’s Irine Jepchumba Kimais also extended her winning streak, taking top spot in the women’s 10km with a personal best of 30:23, holding off a stiff challenge from Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay and Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
Kimais, who claimed half marathon victories in Barcelona in February and Prague earlier this month, improved her previous 10km best of 31:21.
There was also a close finish in the men’s 5km as Ethiopia’s long-time leader Yomif Kejelcha was surprised by Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew in the final strides and had to settle for second place, after winning in Herzogenaurach last year. Two-time world indoor 3000m champion Kejelcha was running alone at the 3km mark, which he hit at 7:45. But Balew never stopped pressing, and he stormed past Kejelcha at the finish to win in 13:06.
The women’s half marathon was won by Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde Sura, making her debut at the distance.
Another rising talent won the men’s half marathon, 20-year-old Tadese Takele surging away from his rivals over the final kilometre to win in 1:00:04.
“We want to thank all runners who participated and who pushed themselves to their limits to achieve their best performances,” says Carlo Capalbo. “We want to thank SCC EVENTS GmbH, act.3 and adidas for their professionalism, and for another great collaboration. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to staging events like this. And when everything works? It’s pure joy. For everyone.”
Leading results:
WOMEN
5km
1 Medina Eisa (ETH) 14:46
2 Senbere Teferi (ETH) 14:46
3 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 14:48
4 Lemlem Nibret (ETH) 14:57
5 Yalemget Yaregal (ETH) 15:00
10km
1 Irine Jepchumba Kimais (KEN) 30:23
2 Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 30:26
3 Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) 30:27
4 Janeth Chepngetich (KEN) 30:28
5 Senayet Getachew (ETH) 30:34
Half marathon
1 Bertukan Welde (ETH) 1:07:44
2 Nigsti Haftu (ETH) 1:07:44
3 Dera Dida (ETH) 1:07:47
4 Anchinalu Dessie (ETH) 1:07:59
5 Ayinadis Teshome (ETH) 1:08:10
MEN
5km
1 Birhanu Balew (BRN) 13:06
2 Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 13:06
3 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 13:11
4 Addisu Yihune (ETH) 13:22
5 Ryan Mphahlele (RSA) 13:24
10km
1 Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 26:49
2 Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 26:53
3 Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli (KEN) 26:54
4 Rhonex Kipruto (KEN) 27:09
5 Levy Kibet (KEN) 27:14
Half marathon
1 Tadese Takele (ETH) 1:00:04
2 Josphat Chumo (KEN) 1:00:08
3 Roncer Kipkorir (KEN) 1:00:08
4 Mathew Kimeli (KEN) 1:00:16
5 Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 1:00:24
