News: Birell 10K Race

The 24th annual Birell Grand Prix Prague 5&10 km, the IAAF Gold Label race, was truly thrilling and record-breaking! Kenyan Geoffrey Koech set the best time of this season and the fourth best performance ever clocking 27:02. In the women’s category, Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya dominated with 29:57. For the first time in history two women managed to run in one race under 30 minutes. The best Czech were Vít Pavlišta (29:50) and Hana Homolková (35:59). The 24th annual Birell Grand Prix Prague 5&10 km, the IAAF Gold Label race, was truly thrilling and record-breaking! Kenyan Geoffrey Koech set the best time of this season and the fourth best performance ever clocking 27:02. In the women’s category, Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya dominated with 29:57. For the first time in history two women managed to run in one race under 30 minutes. The best Czech were Vít Pavlišta (29:50) and Hana Homolková (35:59). At the first half of the race the runners set the pace of the world record, passing the five kilometer at 13:24, but during the second part they slowed down. At the seventh kilometer only the Kenyans Bravin Kiptoo and the Geoffrey Koech stayed together pushing each other to the finish line. However Koech dominated the race at the last kilometer when he managed to speed up and leave his compatriot Bravin Kiptoo behind. Koech has distinctly improved his personal record by 15 seconds, performing also the fastest time in 2019 season, thus surpassing Stephen Kissa. In addition, he holds now the fourth best performance ever in history. Matthew Kimeli (0:27:09), the RunCzech Racing Alumni, was the second to finish ahead of Bravin Kiptoo (0:27:12), a member of the RunCzech Racing team. All three men on the podium also became the fastest athletes of the year. “Of course there is a lot of space for improvement but still I am very happy with my result, ” Koech shared his feelings after the race. The women shined on the course in Prague again. For the first time ever two of them managed to finish the same race under 30 minutes. Both Sheila Chepkirui and Dorcas Jepchumba pushed to the finish clocking 29:57, though Chepkirui was only a hundredth of second faster dominating the race. Thus Birell Prague Grand Prix holds now the world’s three best ever times in the women’s category. Only Joyciline Jepkosgei was faster setting the world record of 29:43 here in Prague in 2017. Norah Jeruto (30:07) took third place this year and is now the sixth best in the world. It didn’t seem to me as fast as the results are, but the second half of the race was really much harder," said the winner Sheila Chepkirui. “I believe that I can run even faster in the future and I believe it can be in Prague next year,” she added. The winners among Czechs were Vít Pavlišta with his new personal vest of 29:50 and a young athlete Hana Homolková (35:59). 9748 runners joined the Birell Prague Grand Prix 2019, with 2621 taking part in the adidas Women’s Race 5 km which started 1,5 hour before the 10K race. The next races of the RunCzech season 2019 are Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon (21st September), Mattoni Liberec Nature Run (5th October) and the Sorrento Positano (27 km and 54 km) held on 1st of December in the South of Italy. Results men ranking | name | nationality | result 1 | KOECH GEOFFREY KEN | 00:27:02 2 | KIMELI MATHEW KEN | 00:27:07 3 | KIPTOO BRAVIN KIPKOGEI | KEN | 00:27:12 4 | KOECH SHADRACK KIPNGETIC | KEN | 0:27:21 5 | KIMELI BENARD | KEN | 0:27:29 6 | KIPKOECH VEDIC | KEN | 00:27:33 7 | KIMUTAI KENNEDY | KEN | 00:27:42 8 | KIPYATICH ABRAHAM | KEN | 00:27:51 9 | BUNUKA JAMES | KEN | 00:28:05 10 | MANTANGA MBULELI MAXWELL | RSA | 00:28:13 22 | VÍTEK PAVLIŠTA | CZE | 00:29:50 Results women ranking | name | nationality | result 1 | CHEPKIRUI SHEILA | KEN | 00:29:57 2 | KIMELI DORCAS JEPCHUMBA | KEN | 00:29:57 3 | JERUTO NORAH | KEN | 00:30:07 4 | HEMUTAI FANCY | KEN | 00:30:37 5 | CHEPTAI IRINE CHEPET | KEN | 00:31:27 6 | KITE GLORIA | KEN | 00:31:51 7 | MYKHAILOVA DARYA | UKR | 00:32:31 8 | EYAYU ALEMADDIS | ETH | 00:32:54 9 | PARLOV MATEA | CRO | 00:33:00 10 | CHIRCHIR MONICAH JEPKEMOI | KEN | 00:33:17 13 | HANA HOMOLKOVÁ | CZE | 00:35:59

Credit : RunCzech The 22nd Birell Prague Grand Prix (the sixth event of this year’s RunCzech Running League) was an unforgettable occasion. RunCzech Racing Team member Joyciline Jepkosgei has become the first woman in history to complete the ten-kilometre road race in less than 30 minutes. Her time of 29:43 meant a new world record (to be ratified), thus also enhancing her own world best time. In terms of the men, two Kenyans with the same surname – Kimeli – were left to battle it out right till the end. Finally, though Bernard (also a RunCzech Racing Team member) emerged as the strongest of the two beating Mathew (a member of the RunCzech Alumni Team) in what can only be described as a truly breath-taking final stretch (27:10). There were no surprises when it came to the results among the Czech runners with another RunCzech Racing Team member Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová triumphing in the women’s category with a time of 33:08 and Jiří Homoláč scooping up first place among the men (30:14). Prague appears to be getting a bit of a reputation for breaking world records recently. During one single Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon held back in April, Joyciline Jepkosgei ran a total of four world records and now she’s added another to the list. “I still can’t believe it. Joyciline is simply an amazing runner which she’s proved to us once again today. And the fact that she also runs for our RunCzech Racing Team is an added bonus. But it has to be said that everyone involved in the race had a part to play in creating Joyciline’s world record. We wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with the race without our organising team, partners, volunteers, institutions and many others, and I’d like to thank them for that,” said a delighted Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech Running League. As usual, the world-renowned record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei was all smiles as she crossed the finish line. “I’m really pleased to have won today and managed to break a world record. The whole race was really tough and I basically had my heart set on a record right from the start which really took it out of me. But I’m really happy to have succeeded” the RunCzech Racing Team member revealed. Credit : RunCzech If world records were also recognised for the five-kilometre distance, then Joyciline Jepkosgei would be crowned as six times world record holder. Her interval time of 14:32 in the middle of the Birell Prague Grand Prix has never been surpassed by any other woman runner. “Everything was going according to plan from the first kilometres; in fact it couldn’t have gone any better. I’m pretty tired right now, but at the same time really satisfied,” Jepkosgei added. Fancy Chemutai from Kenya finished second place six seconds after the legendary half an hour limit (30:06). Securing a time of 30:25, third place went to Violah Jepchumba representing Bahrain. The men also delivered some especially fast times. The first three to cross the finish not only made it onto the podium but also the first three positions of this year’s world rankings in the ten-kilometre distance. Spectators were left in suspense about the name of the winner right until the final stretch onto the blue finish-line carpet with RunCzech Racing Team members Bernard Kimeli and Mathew Kimeli battling it out right to the end. With a time of 27:10, Bernard was the first to cross the finish line, breaking a new personal best and race record. “I’m really pleased with my time. The pacemakers were running a bit too slow, so I decided to take things into my own hands and set my own pace. The final two kilometres and the duel with Mathew were seriously gripping and I’m delighted to say I’ve finally managed to win in Prague,” the joyful winner shared. Mathew Kimeli crossed the finish just one second later with third place going to their colleague Rhonex Kipruto (27:13) whose excellent result took everyone by surprise. A total of eight men managed to finish the race in under twenty-eight minutes including the Norwegian Sondre Nordstad Moen whose performance of 27:55 meant a personal best and the best European time recorded this year. Credit : RunCzech Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová (who was 14th in the IAAF World Championships marathon.) finished the race just one second away from her best Birell Prague Grand Prix time. She was still relatively satisfied with her result of 33:08. “I have to admit that today’s race hurt a bit. For the last three months, I haven’t been training for speed and that showed today. I’d heard that this was going to be a race about smashing world records and so expected to have to sprint; which turned out to be right. Huge congratulations to Joyciline – it’s an amazing result for her and the organisers and I’d would like to congratulate everyone for their efforts,” the winning Czech declared at the finish. When it came to the Czech men, Jiří Homoláč lived up to the expectations on paper. “I finished in 30:14 which is my best on this course. Despite not being an entirely top class time, I ran well and am pleased as part of my marathon training,” said Jiří Homoláč, speaking of his impressions from the race. The main race, the Birell 10 km Race (awarded the IAAF Gold Label) was preceded by the five-kilometre adidas Women’s Race. This was won by Barbora Jíšová (17:56). Watch the race highlights HERE. Top 5 Men Top 5 Women Complete results §staticmap(10619,5,800,200)

Credit : RunCzech On Saturday’s evening September 9, the illuminated streets of Prague play host thousands of runners and spectators along the course. The first of the two races – the adidas Women’s Race 5 km – is a purely women’s affair. Open to all runners while also featuring international stars, the second race – the Birell 10k Race – kicks off just as the sun is setting. And there’ll definitely be plenty to feast your eyes on set against the backdrop of Prague at twilight! Whether on the streets of the capital or broadcast live on Česká televise and www.RunCzech.com, you won’t want to miss out on the Birell Prague Grand Prix. Key information: 2017 marks the 22nd event year. The Birell Prague Grand Prix will be broadcast live on ČT Sport as well as online on RunCzech.com. The broadcast commences at 19.20 CET on * Saturday 9th September The Birell Prague Grand Prix is the sixth RunCzech Running League race, a series comprising seven races spanning five Czech cities. Together with * last year’s latest event, the Prague Relay, a total of 82 840 runners took part in RunCzech events 2016, almost eight thousand more than 2015 The race has been awarded the IAAF Gold Label presented by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for the fourth time in a * row. All seven RunCzech Running League races boast Gold Quality Labels which places the Czech Republic at the top of the world rankings for * organisers of long-distance runs It is the second oldest RunCzech Running League race, after the Prague marathon The 10K race has evolved from an exclusive event for invited elite runners into a running celebration with thousands of participants. The adidas * Women’s Race 5 km is open for women participants only, the second race is the Birell 10 km Race open to all participants – leading international * long-distance runners, men, women, amateur as well as performance runners The course of the Birell 10 km Race is renowned for its speed. Last year five men managed to complete the race in incredible times all under 28 * minutes The Birell 10 km Race will be kicked off by Prague City Mayor Adriana Krnáčová and Unstoppables project participant Michaela Hájková. Petr * Dolínek, Prague City Deputy Mayor, will launch the adidas Women’s Race 5 km Both 5 and 10 km races may be completed either as an individual or as art of a three-member team three-member team. Each member runs the entire * distance and the final results are then added up The Birell Prague Grand Prix boasts a really strong start line. A total of nine men taking part are capable of completing the 10K in under 28 * minutes Kenyan runner Abraham Kipyatich from the RunCzech Racing Team will be keen to defend his victory from last year Other hot favourites include two Kenyans with the same surname – Bernard and Mathew Kimeli. Both are part of the RunCzech Racing team, though * Bernard runs for the main RunCzech Racing Team and Mathew for the RunCzech Racing Alumni. Ethiopian runner Jemal Yimer Mekonnen is also sure to * have his sights set on a podium spot as will Kenta Murayama and Tetsuya Yoroizaka from Japan In terms of the women, last year’s Birell Prague Grand Prix winner Violah Jepchumba will be sporting the number one shirt, however will face * competition from world record holder in the 10km Joyciline Jepkosgei (who set world records also for the 15 km, 20 km and half marathon distances at the 2017 Sportisimo Prague Half marathon) We can also look forward to checking out the biggest Czech long-distance stars on the course. Jiří Homoláč is the favourite among the men, though * Vít Pavlišta and Jan Kohut will also be pushing for spots on the podium. The clear favourite among the women is Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová though Petra * Kamínková will also want to impress fans with a solid performance. Others to watch out for include Anežka Drahotová and Monika Hloušková The adidas Women’s Race 5 km will attract the greatest number runners from abroad from Slovakia, Germany, Russia, Poland, Japan, Hungary, France, Great Britain and China. The Birell 10k Race will draw the greatest number of participants from Slovakia, Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, * USA, Poland, Italy and Japan The top level of medical care offered along the course will see some new features this year. Four mobile AED cycle patrols furnished with an * automatic external defibrillator linking up to medical professionals will move in among the runners. 10 AID Stations (labelled as such) will also be dotted around the course An autograph signing event featuring the world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, Jiří Homoláč and Eva Vrabcová will be held from 4pm on Thursday. * A joint run will take place one hour later from the same spot Light for the World is the main charity partner to the Birell Prague Grand Prix. As is the case each event year, almost 300 candles lined to form * the shape of Africa will light up on Letná steps as a way of saying thank you to all the runners who purchased their start numbers via Light for * the World The official race hashtag is #PragueGrandPrix. Elite Field Men Name Surname Nat 10km Abraham Kapsis KIPYATICH KEN 27:40.0 Jemal Yimer MEKONNEN ETH Benard KIMELI KEN 27:18.0 Mathew KIMELI KEN 27:44.0 Tetsuya YOROIZAKA JPN Almahjoub DAZZA BRN 28:18.0 Kenta MURAYAMA JPN Amos MITEI KEN 27:58.0 Isaac Kipkoech LANGAT KEN 28:14.0 Amos Kibiwott KURGAT KEN 28:10.0 Jesper van der WIELEN NED 28:18.0 Sondre Nordstad MOEN NOR 28:29.0 Soufiane BOUCHIKI BEL Ismail JUMA TAN 28:45.0 Fernando CABADA USA 28:32.0 Paulo Roberto PAULA BRA Ihor OLEFIRENKO UKR Women Name Surname Nat 10km Violah JEPCHUMBA BRN 30:05.0 Joyciline JEPKOSGEI KEN 30:04.0 Fancy CHEMUTAI KEN 30:23.0 Gladys Jerop KIMAINA KEN 31:15.0 Netsanet GUDETA ETH 30:36.75 Kayoko FUKUSHI JPN 30:51.81 Stacy Chepkemboi NDIWA KEN Eva VRABCOVÁ-NÝVLTOVÁ CZE 33:07.0 Belaynesh TSEGAYE ETH 32:09.0 Sheila Chepkirui KIPROTICH KEN 32:16.0 Olga SKRYPAK UKR Iulia SHMATENKO UKR Petra KAMÍNKOVÁ CZE 33:38.0 Anežka DRAHOTOVÁ CZE 33:58.0 Monika HLOUŠKOVÁ CZE 34:15.0 Danielle HODGKINSON GBR 34:38.0 Dagmar RYCHNOVSKÁ CZE 37:02.0 Radka HANZLOVÁ CZE 35:47.0 Interesting statistics: Capacity for the Birell Prague Grand Prix is 11 000 runners A total of 64 nationalities will appear at the start line The Birell 10k Race competing runners will comprise 65 percent men and 35 percent women the average age of women taking part is 35.6 years, the average age of men is 38.4 years on average women will manage the race in 0:59:44, men in 0:51:39 Jan is the most common man’s name taking part, followed by Petr and Martin. Among the women, the most common names are Jana, Petra and Lucie twelve men and seven women will be celebrating their birthdays on race day the oldest male participant: Petr Prokeš (CZE): 71 years the oldest female participant: Wendy Wallinger (GBR): 65 years the adidas Women’s Race 5 km the gender composition is pretty clear here since only women are allowed to take part 35.4 is the average age of the women taking part on average runners manage to complete the race in 0:32:46 the most common names of those appearing at the start line are Jana, Petra and Lenka one runner will be celebrating her birthday on race day the oldest participant: Renata Procházková (CZE): 70 years The vast majority of the long-distance runners taking part are university educated (58%), with school leavers making up 34% and the remaining 8% made up of those with only basic level education 715 volunteers will be helping out during the race There will be over thirty three thousand visits to www.runczech.com from all over the world on race day (32 217 in 2016) Almost one hundred and fifty thousand users (149 876 in 2016) will receive messages from RunCzech channels via social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) Used during the race: 291 traffic signs 44 550 safety pins 42 278 cups 26 369 sponges for freshening up 11 000 pieces of thermal-insulating sheets 11 000 medals 3 924 metres of fencing 97 portable toilets Drunk: 22 708 litres of Mattoni water 5 478 litres of Gatorade (hypotonic drink) Eaten: 1 785 kg of bananas 1 158 kg of oranges 21 kg of salt 14 kg of sugar Records: World record – men: 0:26:44 (2010), Leonard Komon (KEN) World record – women: 0:30:04 (2017), Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN), Prague Czech record – men: None recorded by the Czech Athletic Federation Czech record – women: None recorded by the Czech Athletic Federation Race record – men: 0:27:28 (2014), Geoffrey Ronoh (KEN) Race record – women: 0:30:24 (2016), Violah Jepchumba (BRN) Fastest Czech man: 0:29:26 (1999), Pavel Fashingbauer Fastest Czech woman: 0:33:07 (2015), Eva Vrabcová

Credit : RunCzech Last April, Kenya’s Viola Jepchumba thundered through the first 10 kilometers of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in 30:29 and then sailed on to victory in 1:05.51. Her 10K split was a world leader and made her the #3 10K road performer of all time. But wait, there’s more. Her world-leading finishing time also made her the #3 half marathon performer of all time. As the road racing world reflected on Jechumba’s achievement – and the improbable way the dazzling 10K and half marathon clockings were achieved in the same race – many wondered just how good this 25 year old upstart could be. Tonight we caught a glimpse. As dusk fell on this idyllic European capital, the Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K, the sixth race of the RunCzech Running League, got underway. The shadows were lengthening, but the start time temperature was still pushing 30 degrees Celsius [85 degrees Fahrenheit] – uncomfortable for all in the field. Jepchumba flew away at the opening gun. Early on, countrywoman Joyciline Jepkosgei attempted to keep pace, but soon Jepchumba easily broke away to go it alone. Without the aid of bona fide competition – or even pacers – the young Kenyan, intent on taking down the course record of 30:55 set the prior year by Paris Jepchirchir, stormed on, almost oblivious to pace. Running alone, Jepchumba split 5K in a verified 14:46. Slowing but undeterred, the unthreatened Jepchumba pushed it all the way to the line, stopping the clock at 30:24. Her winning time improved her 10K world leader, elevated her to the #2 10K road performance and performer of all time, and scared the 2003 world record 10K road mark of 30:21 set by Paula Radcliffe. “I didn’t know what the record was,” offered a reserved but obviously contented champion. Jepchumba deflected an inquiry about a possible future competition against Jepchirchir. “I will continue to train hard and work to do my best”. offered the new champion, smiling on the homestretch, finished 2nd in 31:08 – a 20 second PR. Preventing a Kenyan sweep, Ethiopian Afera Godfay crossed in 31:49 for 3rd. Credit : RunCzech The men’s race turned out to be the competitive dogfight all expected. The surprise was that none of the big dogs – defending champion Daniel Chebii, Prague favorite Daniel Wanjiru, or former marathon world record holder Patrick Makau – won. An underdog did. Lightly-touted Abraham Kipyatich trusted his fitness and went out with the favorites at course record pace – passing 5 kilometers, as instructed, in 13:46. The lead pack of Kipyatich, Kenneth Keter, Mathew Kimeli, Emmanuel Kipsang, roared by 5 kilometers, as instructed, in 13:46 – placing Geoffrey Ronoh’s 2014 course record of 27:28 in jeopardy. Heading west on the north side of the Vltava River, the pack was joined by always-dangerous Wanjiru as the racers careened downhill toward the government parliament headquarters, It was then Kipyatich – perhaps the least likely of the lead pack – sprung his surprise. Aided by the downhill, the 23 year old Kenyan pressed the pace and kept the heat on through the descent, the turn-around, and the climb back toward the Stefanik Bridge. Wanjuri took up chase and looked good doing it – exhibiting superior leg speed and an alert countenance. But Kipyatich would not be denied. Drenched with sweat but never looking back, he spun onto the bridge and picked up the pace. Wanjuri responded in kind, but it was too little too late. Kipyatich hit the line first in a world-leading 27:40 – clinching the victory, and harvesting a massive 39 second PR under challenging conditions. Wanjiru, the two-time defending champion of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon crossed 2nd in 27:43 while Emmanuel Kipsang completed the Kenyan sweep finishing 3rd in 27:47. 5th place finisher Mathew Kimeli’s 27:53 proved to be a U20 world leader. The victor was delighted to join the Sub-28 Club. “I am very proud [of my performance],” beamed the winner, who indicated that his pre-race plan called for his surge at 8 kilos. After a subpar performance the prior week at the Czech Club Championships, top Czech finisher Milan Kocourek [20th in 30:32] may have timed his taper just right. He’ll toe the line again at next week’s Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathon – where Kipyatich will step up to serve as a pace-setter. 1500m/5000m track specialist Kristiina Maki was the top Czech woman, finishing the 10K in 34:19 for 15th place. When asked if her PR performance might entice her to tackle a 10,000 meter race on the track, the 24 year old "shook her head.. “”It’s too hard,” she frowned. Dave Hunter Results TOP 10 MEN Rank Start # Surname Name Time 1 15 KIPYATICH ABRAHAM 0:27:40 2 4 WANJIRU DANIEL KINYUA 0:27:43 3 9 KIPSANG EMMANUUEL K. 0:27:47 4 14 KETER KENNETH 0:27:50 5 16 KIMELI MATHEW KIPKORIR 0:27:53 6 23 KURGAT AMOS KIBIWOT 0:28:10 7 3 MENGICH RICHARD KIPROP 0:28:17 8 1 CHEBII DANIEL KIPCHUMBA 0:28:20 9 5 OMISO STEPHEN ARITA 0:28:23 10 20 KIRWA YEGO SOLOMON 0:28:28 TOP 10 WOMEN Rank Start # Surname Name Time 1 F1 JEPCHUMBA VIOLAH 0:30:24 2 F4 JEPKOSGEI JOYCILINE 0:31:08 3 F27 GODFAY AFERA 0:31:49 4 F2 CHERONO GLADYS 0:31:58 5 F5 CHEROUIYOT LUCY 0:32:59 6 F19 SHMATENKO IULIA 0:33:26 7 F3 KIPKOECH PASKALIA C. 0:33:45 8 F9 JEBET EMMACULATE 0:33:46 9 F12 SKRYPAK OLGA 0:33:48 10 F8 HORIE MISATO 0:34:10

Credit : Mattoni Prague Grand Prix During the second weekend in September, thousands of runners and spectators flock to the lit up streets of night-time Prague. The first of the two races, the adidas Women’s Run 5 km is exclusively for ladies. Kicking off just as the sun is setting and featuring an impressive number of world-class, long distance stars, the second race – the Birell 10 Km – is open to all runners. Hence there’ll certainly be no shortage of action on the course! Whether on the streets of the city or via the live broadcast on Czech Television, make sure you don’t miss out on the Birell Prague Grand Prix. Key information The Birell Prague Grand Prix will be broadcast live on the ČT sport channel. Tune in at 7 pm on Saturday, the 10th of September 21st race year The Birell Prague Grand Prix is a part of the RunCzech Running League, which comprises a total of seven races in five cities around the Czech Republic. A total of 74, 585 took part in the races in 2015, almost five thousand more than in 2014. This is the third year the race has been awarded the Gold Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). All seven RunCzech Running League races hold Gold Labels which places the Czech Republic at the top of the ladder in terms of countries which organize long-distance runs It is the second oldest race in the RunCzech Running League It has progressed from a ten-kilometer race exclusively for invited elite runners to a running event with ten thousand participants this year. The adidas Women’s Race 5 km is exclusively for women participants while the second race – the Birell 10 km Race is open to everyone – including leading world-class long-distance runners, men, women, amateurs as well as semi-professionals The Birell 10 km Race kicks off at 19:30 hours from Republic Square close to the Municipal House. From there runners cross Štefánik Bridge, head towards Holešovice and then return to the embankment all the way to Klárov. After making a loop around the government building they will head back towards Štefánik Bridge and run onto Revoluční Street towards the finish line on Republic Square The adidas Women’s Race 5 Km commences at 18:00 hours from the same spot. After crossing Štefánik Bridge they turn off onto Edvard Beneš embankment and then turn against the current of the Vltava towards Klárov. From there they head straight to the finish line The course of the Birell 10 km Run is celebrated for its speed. Last year a total of seven men managed to complete it in amazing time, all under 28 minutes This year capacity has been increased to 10 000 runners! A total of 7 500 runners will take part in the Birell 10 km Race and a further 2 500 women in the adidas Women’s Race 5 km Both the 5 and 10 km races can be completed as an individual or as part of a three-member team. Each member runs the whole distance and the results are subsequently tallied up to a final score The Birell Prague Grand Prix boasts a very strong start line with a total of five men capable of completing the race in under 28 minutes Daniel Chebii will be coming along to defend last year’s victory. He was also unbeatable in 2013 and will be keen to make it a hat-trick this year His rival on the course includes Patrick Makau, former world record holder in the marathon distance. A total of five long distance runners capable of running under 28 minutes will be joined by Richard Mengich, Stephen Omiso and Evans Kigen Kurui Another one to watch out for on the course is two-time champion of the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon Daniel Wanjiru Women participants include unexpected winner of this year’s Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon Violah Jepchumba. Her performance in April was enough to secure her third place on the historical half marathon tables while her split time of 30:29 at the 10 km mark has yet to be beaten this year Her greatest rivals will likely include Gladys Cherono and Paskalia Kipkoech The top Czech long-distance stars will also be appearing in Prague Women participants include Olympians Eva Vrabcová and Anežka Drahotová. However, they will face competition from Kristiina Mäki, Lucie Sekanová, Tereza Čapková, not to mention Czech veteran Petra Kamínková Among the Czech men, we’re likely to see a battle play out between Jiří Homoláč and Milan Kocourek, both of whom took part in the European Championships in Amsterdam. Jan Kreisinger will also be making a come-back following health problems, plus we can look forward to checking out performances by Vítek Pavlišta and David Vaš Apart from the elite athletes, a number of well-known personalities will also be participating. Appearing in the first of the races, the adidas Women’s Run 5 km are Olympic cross-country skiing winner Kateřina Neumannová, biker Markéta “Peggy” Marvanová, the actor and presenter Adéla Gondíková, presenter Zorka Hejdová, model Taťána Kuchařová as well as members of the so-called Models on the run team. These are to include Czech beauty pageant stars Eva Čerešňáková (1st Czech Vice-miss 2007), Karolína Mališová (Czech Miss Earth 2015), Tereza Skoumalová (Czech Miss World 2014), Aneta Vignerová (Miss Czech Republic 2009) and Andrea Kabická (Miss 2011 finalist) Taking on the Birell 10 km run are: blind runner Ondřej Změškal, former boxer Lukáš Konečný as well as Olympic decathlon winner Roman Šebrle and his wife Eva The event also includes a Marathon Music Festival featuring bands and DJs along the course playing to the beat of runners Runners collect their start numbers from the Grand Prix Expo located at the Running Mall which is open from Monday to Saturday. Part of the accompanying program includes the chance to go for a run with Jiří Homoláč, Kristiina Mäki and Jan Kreisinger RunCzech works with a total of 45 charity organizations. Last year a total of 4,620 runners raised a whopping 7,279,615 Czech Crowns for the Run for a Good Cause project Light for the World is the main charity partner at the Birell Prague Grand Prix. Each year as runners head off on the course, almost 300 lit candles are lined up in the shape of Africa as a gesture to thank all runners who purchased their start numbers via Light for the World The largest number of foreign runners taking part come from Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, the United States, Hungary, the Netherlands and Austria Everyone who actively takes part in the Birell 10 km race will contribute 5 Czech Crowns to the Unstoppables project, which helps athletes with physical disabilities The official race hashtag #PragueGrandPrix. For the adidas Women’s Race 5 km, use the hashtag #bezimpetku A whopping 106,943 visitors attended all three Prague races in 2014, 27 thousand of which came from other regions in the Czech Republic or from abroad Visitors to the Prague races spent over 276.2 million Czech Crowns owing to the events which led to a growth of local businesses amounting to at least 190.4 million Czech Crowns and local gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 54.3 million Czech Crowns Hotels, restaurants and other businesses had to employ many more workers to meet demand which when converted into full-time positions throughout the year amounted to the creation of 170 permanent positions Interesting statistics The capacity of the Birell Prague Grand Prix is 10,000 runners A total of 66 nationalities will appear at the start line The Birell 10 km Race will comprise 63 percent men and 37 percent women the average age of women runners is 35.1 and for men 38.2 on average women manage to complete the race in 0:59:37, and men in 0:50:48 The most common name for men competing at the race is Petr, followed by Jan and Martin. For women the most common names are Jana, Petra and Lucie a total of nine men and fourteen women will celebrate their birthdays on race day the oldest male participant is Milan Procházka (CZE): 75 years of age the oldest female participant is Šárka Kolková (CZE): 69 years of age the adidas Women’s Run 5 km here the gender of participants is pretty obvious – it’s 100 percent made up of women the average age of women taking part is 35.8 on average women manage to complete it in 0:32:49 the most common names appearing at the start line are Jana, Lenka and Petra a total of five women will be celebrating their birthday on race day the oldest runner is Pavla Jechová (CZE): 72 years The vast majority of long-distance runners comprise university educated people (58 %), with a further 34 % of college educated individuals and the remaining 8 % made up of those with high school education A total of 715 volunteers will be helping out at the race Over twenty thousand runners from all over the world will visit www.runczech.com on race day (21 733 in 2015) Almost one hundred and fifty users will receive messages from RunCzech social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) on race day (145,706 in 2015) Used during the race: 289 traffic signs 42 550 safety pins 42,000 cups 26,000 water soaked sponges 10,000 thermal sheets 10,000 medals 3,821 m of fencing 93 mobile toilets Liquids consumed: 21,750 litres of Mattoni water 4,125 litres of hypotonic drinks Food consumed: 1,055 kg bananas 1,276 kg oranges 23 kg salt 16 kg sugar Records Race record – men: 0:27:28 (2014), Geoffrey Ronoh (KEN) Race record – women: 0:30:55 (2015), Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) Fastest Czech man: 0:29:26 (1999), Pavel Fashingbauer Fastest Czech woman: 0:33:07 (2015), Eva Vrabcová World record – men: 0:26:44 (2010), Leonard Komon (KEN) World record – women: 0:30:21 (2003), Paula Radcliffe (GBR) Czech record – men: Not listed by the Czech Athletic Association Czech record – women: Not listed by the Czech Athletic Association

Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix Defending champion Daniel Chebii of Kenya, the fifth fastest man in 10K so far this year, will chase his third victory, while Kenya’s Violah Jepchumba holds the 2016 world leading time in 10K, aiming to win with a new race record at the 21st edition of the Birell Grand Prix. The 2015 Birell Prague Grand Prix champion Daniel Chebii will defend his title against former marathon world record holder Patrick Makau and a slew of other talented athletes in Prague on September 10. Chebii, and Makau are two of the five men in the field who have broken 28 minutes for 10K. The other three sub-28:00 men in the field are Kenyans Richard Mengich, Stephen Omiso, and Evans Kigen Kirui. Daniel Wanjiru has never broken 28:00, but he is no stranger to the streets of Prague. He has won the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon twice. These 10K speedsters are joined by one of the fastest half marathoners in history. Only three men have ever run 13.1 miles faster than the 58:44 that Solomon Yego did in March in Rome. Yego’s time is the fastest in the world on a record-legal course since 2011. Chebii, Makau, Mengich, Wanjiru, and Yego are five of the seven sub-one-hour half-marathoners in the field. Kenneth Keter and Geofrey Kusuro have both dipped under the venerated hour barrier. Keter famously did so this spring at the Venloop Half Marathon in the Netherlands, where he started as a pacemaker and then never dropped out. They’ll be aiming for Geoffrey Ronoh’s course record of 27:28. If Chebii wins, it’ll be his third Prague Grand Prix title in the last four years. Chebii isn’t just the defending Prague Grand Prix champ – he is also a former winner and race record holder (59:49) of RunCzech’s Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon In 2012. Three men in the field are on the RunCzech Racing Team: Keter, Abraham Kipyatich, and the 18 year old Mathew Kimeli. Seven men broke 28:00 in the 2015 Birell Grand Prix, led by Chebii’s 27:42. The race is one of just four IAAF Gold Label 10Ks in the world each year. Some of the requirements to be awarded a Gold Label are an international elite field, equal prize money for men and women, and robust drug testing. Violah Jepchumba returns to the roads of the city where she became an all-timer. In April, the Kenyan won the Sportismo Prague Half Marathon in 1:05:51, making her the third fastest half marathoner ever. Carlo Capalbo, the President of the Organizing Committee of RunCzech races stated, “We are very pleased to be able to welcome Violah back to Prague, where she confirmed her arrival in April as one of the finest half-marathoners in history.” Jepchumba’s 10K best is actually also from that race, when she came through 10K in a blistering 30:29 – well ahead of world record pace. That time is 27 seconds faster than anyone else in the field has ever run for 10K. The second fastest women in the field is Gladys Cherono, who is also the fifth fastest half marathoner in history at 1:06:07. Between Jepchumba, Cherono, and Paskalia Chepkorir Kipkoech – all three Kenyan women have broken 31 minutes—the course record of 30:55 seems in jeopardy. The world lead on the roads is also Jepchumba’s 30:29 from the Prague Half in April. In addition to Jepchumba, Cherono, and Kipkoech, two other women in the field have broken 70 minutes in the half marathon: Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Ethiopian Muliye Dekebo. Perhaps the Ethiopian, Dekebo, who is still a junior, has the best chance on the podium of non-Kenyan athletes. Jepkosgei has the fourth fastest 10K time in the field, and she is the only woman other than the three favorites to have broken 32 minutes. She is the only women in the field who is representing the RunCzech Racing team. In her RunCzech debut, Jepkosgei won and broke the course record at the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon. One of the best Czechs lining up on September 10 is Anežka Drahotová, who most recently finished 10th in the 20K race walk at the Olympics. Drahotová certainly has had the most diverse career in the field—in addition to race walking and road running, she has also competed internationally in road cycling and the 3000 meter steeplechase. Elite Field Men Nationality Name 10K/10,000m PB KEN Daniel CHEBII 27:35 KEN Patrick MAKAU 27:27 KEN Richard Kiprop MENGICH 27:48 KEN Daniel Kinyua WANJIRU 28:05 KEN Stephen Arita OMISO 27: 55.17 KEN Evans Kigen KURUI 27:56 UGA Geofrey KUSURO 28:06 TAN Gabriel Gerard GEAY 28:04 KEN Emmanuuel Kiprono KIPSANG 28:06 KEN Peter KWEMOI 28:06 BEL Soufiane BOUCHIKHI 28:11 ERI Simon TESFAY KEN Kenneth KETER 28:18 KEN Abraham KIPYATICH 28:19 GER Falk CIERPINSKI 28:57 KEN Mathew Kipkorir KIMELI 28:19 BRA Paulo Paula CZE Jan KREISINGER 28:59 KEN Yego Solomon KIRWA 29:06 UKR Oleksandr SITKOVSKYY 29:18 KEN Amos Kibiwot KURGAT CZE Milan KOCOUREK 29:30 KEN Simon Kiruthi MUTHONI 29:52 CZE Jiří HOMOLÁČ 29:59.76 SVK Juraj VITKO 30:18 CZE David VAŠ 31:34 Women Nationality Name 10K/10,000m PB KEN Violah JEPCHUMBA 30:29 KEN Gladys CHERONO 30:56 KEN Paskalia Chepkorir KIPKOECH 30:57 KEN Joyciline JEPKOSGEI 31:28.28 KEN Lucy CHEROUIYOT 32:21 POL Katarzyna KOWALSKA 33:37.70 JAP Misato HORIE KEN Emmaculate JEBET 32:33 CZE Eva VRABCOVÁ 33:07 JAP Kikuyo TSUZAKI 33:25 UKR Olga SKRYPAK 32:44 CZE Lucie SEKANOVÁ 33:22.90 UKR Valentyna ZHUDINA 33:27 CZE Kristiina MÄKI CZE Anežka DRAHOTOVÁ 33:59 ETH Muliye DEKEBO 34:50 KEN Ruth CHEPNGETICH UKR Iulia SHMATENKO 34:22 CZE Tereza ČAPKOVÁ 34:04 ETH Belaynesh TSEGAYE 34:47 CZE Petra KAMÍNKOVÁ 33:38 CZE Eva KRCHOVÁ CZE Valerie SOUKUPOVÁ 35:15 CZE Petra VAŠINOVÁ 35:40.54 CZE Dagmar RYCHNOVSKÁ 37:59

Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix Peres Jepchirchir gave ample proof of her status as a rising star among the distance events by running 30:55, the fastest time in the world for the women’s 10k, to take top honours and break the course record at the Birell Prague Grand Prix. Her solo run from the gun secured the 21-year-old her most impressive career win on the road. Her fellow Kenyan Linah Cheruto finished second in 32:08 while Ethiopia’s Kidsan Alema was third in 32:10. Daniel Chebii was also impressive in winning the men’s crown for the second time in three years, running 27:42, the third fastest performance in the world this year, to beat fellow Kenyan Gilbert Masai by three seconds with Barselius Kipyego a further second behind. The Birell Prague Grand Prix is one of the seven events in the RunCzech Running League and IAAF Gold Label race, the top category of road race. The 20th edition of this spectacular evening race in the heart of the Czech capital was given a distinguished send-off when the former world record holder in the decathlon, Roman Sebrle, fired the starting gun in Republic Square. Peres Jepchirchir didn’t waste time, deciding to attack from the start and within three minutes was clear in front and running strongly. She had run 31:18 for 10k in Ottawa on May 23 which had followed an impressive second place at the Kenyan National Cross Country Championships last year, so her pedigree was not in doubt. “When the gun went off I felt confident after my run in Canada and decided to attack my personal best.” She proved relentless in windy conditions, pressing home her advantage on a mostly flat course which proved an ideal stage for her aggressive running. Her closest pursuers proved to be fellow Kenyan Linah Cheruto and Ethiopia’s Kidsan Alema. Cheruto, another young talent, had shown excellent form to finish second in a personal best of 70:22 at the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon in May, another of the RunCzech events. But she trailed in home 13 seconds behind as Peres Jepchirchir celebrated going to the top of the world charts for the women’s 10k, displacing Gladys Cherono of Kenya’s time from the Ottawa event by just one second. For good measure, Jepchirchir improved the course record by ten seconds. Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix Peres Jepchirchir has set her sights on qualifying for the Kenyan Olympic team at 10,000m in Rio de Janeiro next year, though she has a short term goal of achieving another win in the final event of the RunCzech Running League at the Mattoni Usti Nad Labem Half Marathon next Saturday, September 12. Daniel Chebii had struggled with injury for much of last year. The 2013 winner of this event is also mourning his manager Zane Branson, whose recent sudden death in Kenya has been deeply felt by many in the world of distance running. The Kenyan admitted that training had since been difficult but summoned his resolve to produce one of his finest races. Always well placed just behind the front rank of a men’s leading group which had been reduced to eight after halfway, Chebii looked consistently stronger than the defending champion and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Ronoh, who showed dominant form to break the course with 27:28 last year. After a brief exchange of the lead with Gilbert Masai and Barselius Kipyego, Daniel Chebii made the decisive break with one kilometre remaining. He crossed the line in 27:42, the third fastest time in the world this year. The overall quality of the men’s race was high as Masai edged Kipyego for second place and a total of seven men breaking 28 minutes. Reflecting on his two wins in this event, Daniel Chebii was in no doubt which he valued most: “The competition this year was much tougher than two years ago. This was a victory I appreciated much more.” It will be daunting for his rivals to hear that Chebii reckons he is only 70% fit at present, continuing to recover from the injuries which hindered his progress last year. But his path to fulfilling his potential in the marathon, his ultimate goal, looks bright. Men’s Results: Daniel Chebii Kenya 27:42 Gilbert Masai Kenya 27:45pb Barselius Kipyego Kenya 27:46pb Japhet Korir Kenya 27:48 Teshome Mekonen Ethiopia 27:50pb Bernard Bett Kenya 27:52pb Evans Kigen Kenya 27:56 Geoffrey Ronoh Kenya 28:09 Women’s Results: Peres Jepchirchir Kenya 30:55pb Linah Cheruto Kenya 32:08pb Kidsan Alema Ethiopia 32:10 debut Shitaye Eshete Bahrain 32:11 Viola Jelagat Kenya 32:37 Caroline Kilel Kenya 32:53

Credit : Birell Prague Grand Prix *Geoffrey Ronoh sets sights on his own course record while Kenyans Caroline Kilel and Viola Jelagat head strong women’s field Geoffrey Ronoh, the defending champion in the Birell Prague Grand Prix, leads parallel lives. He is as committed to his career as a Wildlife Ranger in Kenya, combating the menace of poachers, as he is to breaking his own course record of 27:28 in Saturday’s 20th edition of the spectacular evening Birell 10 km Race. Recovered from injury which has hindered his progress this year after an outstanding 2014 on the road, he will face tough opposition in fellow Kenyans Daniel Chebii, winner of this title three years ago, and Josphat Kiptis, champion of the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon in late June, another of the seven races in the RunCzech Running League. In the women’s field, Viola Jelagat has already caught the eye this year with fourth in the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in March and the experienced Caroline Kilel, the 2011 Boston Marathon winner, should pose a threat, as could be the Ethiopian Amane Beriso, who impressed to win the Ostia Half Marathon title in Italy in March. The Birell Prague Grand Prix is an IAAF Gold Label event, the highest category of road race.* As with so many of his fellow elite Kenyan runners, 32 year-old Geoffrey Ronoh exudes the epitome of laidback cool, even with race day approaching and facing questions of whether he can reproduce the devastating form of last year. Not only did he beat the renowned road exponent Geoffrey Mutai by four seconds to win the Birell Prague Grand Prix, he handed the then world record holder in the marathon and his training partner, Wilson Kipsang, a racing lesson in winning the Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon to announce his arrival as a formidable road racer on the international scene. His form in 2015 has stuttered because of injury. He was troubled by a hamstring injury after finishing fifth in the Volkswagen Prague Marathon in 2:10:52 in early May, a personal best for the distance but the dominance of the previous year was absent. The persistent injury forced him to withdraw from racing but regular massage and easy running at his base in Iten have revived him. He believes he can produce his best form for Saturday: “This year I had many injuries but my recent training has been going well. I’m back to my normal shape. I want to improve my time of 27:28 and Prague will also be a form guide as I look to run a marathon before the end of the year.” Any idea that his excellence as a professional runner of three years’ standing is produced by a focus on running, rest and precious little else is soon dispelled, once the conversation turns to his parallel life as a Wildlife Ranger. This is no sinecure, but a proper job bringing danger and shift work which would seem daunting even without the demands of top-class athletics. “I do sentry duty and that includes night shift. I have been taking this positively, I try to utilise my time, I try to budget with it, so when I’m on night duty, I consider it my day and sleep during the day.” It was a boyhood of weekends and holidays with friends, hunting in the bush, which first attracted him to a career as a ranger which now goes back eleven years. But the young Ronoh began to think of conservation rather than hunting: “We’d go hunting but then I began to think of guarding the animals instead of hunting them, no more killing but looking after them.” This led to enrolling in the ranger force, mandatory military training including, as Geoffrey Ronoh describes it: “Refresher courses with the British Army when they come to Kenya, I am trained to use a gun. I’ve come across contacts with poachers in my duties and have recovered both guns and ivories. This career also provided an impressive stamina base – he describes tracking in the bush up to 200km in a small group, on the lookout for poachers. It’s little wonder he possessed such a formidable engine when he entered the professional running world. As for a future when his running is no longer at the elite level, Geoffrey Ronoh is in no doubt where this lies: “It was an ambition since my schooldays to be a Wildlife Ranger. Some lived in my village and I liked the way they behaved to us. I liked everything about their way of life, what they did for animals.”