Ethiopian Lemi Berhanu Hayle won the 29th edition of the Prague Marathon in commanding fashion, running away from the field at 25km and not giving anyone else a chance. His winning time was 2:08:44, some 1 minute and 44seconds ahead of 2nd place Kipkemoi Kiprono. Martin Edlman (2:22:19) produced the surprise performance of the day, becoming the first Czech finisher in what, with over 8,000 runners taking part, has become one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. “The race had a great standard. You never get tired of seeing the joy on the runners’ faces. We are all already looking forward to the jubilee thirtieth year,” said Carlo Capalbo, president of the RunCzech organizing committee, whose events have been awarded Elite World Athletics labels.
Last year’s race record by Alexander Mutiso, remained standing (2:05:09). But Lemi Berhanu Hayle, winner of the 2016 Boston Marathon, put on a great performance, in warm and windy conditions which affected the runners, especially over the last 10km. “I am very happy. I wanted to win here. And it worked, so I’m very happy. It was difficult mainly because of the nasty wind,” Hayle said. Kenyan Kipkemoi Kiprono (2:10:28) was in second place, while his compatriot Joshua Kipkemboi Kogo (2:10:51) secured 3rd place on the podium.
The event had a high-quality field of athletes taking part, with four runners who had already run under 2hrs 05 minutes competing for the win. Herpasa Negasa Kitesa, Abebe Negewo Degefa, Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Abayneh Degu Tsehay all came to the race in good form, but today Hayle was able to pull away from them with ease and secure a clear victory. “I felt very good from the beginning. It was a beautiful race, Prague is beautiful and the fans cheered us on all along the track. I would like to come back here again. It came out perfectly,” said the Ethiopian champion.
The race was definitely successful for the Czech endurance runner Martin Edlman, who with a time of 2:22:19, became the unexpected champion of the Czech Republic. “It’s absolutely great. I never imagined this in my wildest dreams. It was quite windy, I got off to a reasonable start and increased the pace well. When I saw that I was catching up with Patrik Vebr and the other Czech athletes, it motivated me a lot,” rejoiced Edlman, who finished ninth overall. Patrik Vebr, the winner of the last two Prague Half Marathons, led for a long time, but in his debut, he ended up second (2:24:33). “I take it as a small victory that I finished at all. It didn’t work for me as from the sixth kilometer my sciatic nerve hurt. But the atmosphere was excellent,” said Vebr. Third place went to Martin’s brother Tomáš Edlman (2:24:34).
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Bedatu Hirpa Badane (2:23:41) reigned supreme, surprising even the biggest favorites. In 2nd place some 1minute and 9 seconds behind, was the Kenyan Dorcas Jepchirchir Tuitoek (2:24:50), followed by another Ethiopian endurance athlete Shewarge Alene Amare (2:27:32) who at 37 years of age was only minutes behind her personal best, despite the challenging conditions.
The Czech Republic champion was Petra Pastorová (2:47:03). “I am extremely happy. Considering my age, it was difficult, but I enjoyed it,” said the 47-year-old,
Eva Filipiová was second (2:49:35), with Barbora Jíšová in third (2:49:40).
In total, over 8,000 participants took to the streets of Prague, with half of these from overseas. The race also included a unique team competition Battle of the Teams, in which the times of elite athletes are added to runners from the mass participations event. So, anyone can be a winner in the Prague International Marathon! This year there were four teams in the competition: Mattoni, whose captain was Olympic champion Jiří Prskavec, Prague Airport with captain Jiří Ježek, Volkswagen Financial Services with captain Eva Vrabcová Nývltová and Turkish Airlines with captain Jiří Homoláč. All teams were also associated with a charity. The results will be calculated later in the day and formally announced at this evenings after party.
As always, runners had support on the course from tremendous crowds, but this year the participants were also boosted by rich musical accompaniment. There were 23 musical groups along the course as part of the Marathon Music Festival, which RunCzech organises in cooperation with the United Islands of Prague festival.
On Saturday The Prague International Marathon also had an additional programme of activity with the Marathon Expo – Sports Equipment Fair at the Prague Exhibition Centre. Also, races were held in the Stromovka park, in which absolutely everyone could participate, both young and old. An incredible 3,700 runners took part in the dm family mile, the dm bambini run and the new dm active breakfast.
Not to miss anyone out, high school students also took part in Sundays main event, but as a relay race, with each boy or girl completing 4.2km, for the title in the Junior Marathon. This is the 26th year of the largest running race with over 2500 high school students taking part across the Czech Republic. The final is held as part of the famous Prague International Marathon. The students of Jilemnice Gymnasium, Secondary School and SZS became Junior Marathon winners.
RunCzech increased the on-course facilities for runners even further this year. A total of 16 refreshment stations were available, at 6 of them it was also possible to cool down with a shower. In total, Run Czech provided 30,000 litres of Mattoni water and over 16,000 litres of isotonic drinks. Along the course there were also 34 first aid medical patrols, and 4 bike patrols with defibrillators.
