The EuroHeroes 2024 series is set to kick off with high expectations to further build on last year’s success. With several top class athletes returning, the series promises thrilling competition and potentially record-breaking performances.
Among the returning champions are Lilia Fisikovici from Moldova, who holds European event records in České Budějovice and Ústí nad Labem, and Sebastian Hendel, last year’s overall winner and European event record holder in Ústí nad Labem. Yassine Rachik, the European record holder in Karlovy Vary, is making a comeback after surgery to compete in České Budějovice and Olomouc. Additionally, Tereza Hrochová aims to defend her title from last year in a more competitive field.
Karlovy Vary Race Event Records
Men’s Overall Record: Wilfred Kimitei (KEN), 1:00:54, 2017
Women’s Overall Record: Yvonne Jelagat (KEN), 1:08:19, 2017
Men’s European Record: Yassine Rachik (ITA), 1:02:59, 2019
Women’s European Record: Christelle Daunay (FRA), 1:09:17, 2014
Men’s Czech Record: Milan Kocourek (CZE), 1:06:51, 2016
Women’s Czech Record: Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová (CZE), 1:11:54, 2018
Men’s Field
The men’s field this year is exceptionally strong, featuring 5 athletes who have run under 63 minutes. Hendrik Pfeiffer, a German running legend and 7th place finisher in the London Marathon, boasts a personal best of 2:07:14 from the Houston Marathon in January. Although he has achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, the German Athletics Federation has yet to finalise its team for Paris.
Joining Pfeiffer is Khalid Choukoud, who placed third in last year’s Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon, and who has qualified for the Olympic marathon with a PB of 2:07:37 set in Valencia. The fastest half marathoner in the race, Chakib Lachgar from Spain, holds a PB of 1:01:45 and is also the 2023 World 50K Champion. Another strong contender is Hélio Gomes from Portugal, who recently set a PB of 1:02:07 at the Valencia Half Marathon. With such a competitive lineup, the European event record of 1:02:59 from 2019 is under serious threat.
Women’s Field
The women’s race, while not expected to challenge the extraordinary event record in 2014 of 1:09:17 set by Christelle Daunay, still promises to be exciting. Although not close to her best times at the moment, Lilia Fisikovici returns as the record holder for České Budějovice and Ústí nad Labem. Competing against her will be Nóra Szabó, the Hungarian national marathon record holder with a time of 2:28:25 set in Seville last year. She also has a half marathon PB of 1:10:59 from Copenhagen 2022. Tereza Hrochová, last year’s overall EuroHeroes winner and Paris Olympic marathon qualifier, will also be in the mix. Adding to the competitive spirit is Nataliya Lehonkova from Ukraine, returning to racing after having a baby.
With such a dynamic field of runners, both the men’s and women’s races at EuroHeroes 2024 are poised for fierce competition and potentially record-breaking performances.
Read more details about the EuroHeroes project here:
https://www.runczech.com/en/running-league/euroheroes/project-euroheroes
Men’s Start List
Women’s Start List
