Saturday evening in Prague was tailor-made for fast running. With temperatures hovering around 20C under clear skies and dead-calm conditions, the atmospheric setting was ideal. Nearly 9,500 runners representing 98 countries assembled at Náměstà Republiky for the Birell 10K Night Race, spearheaded by an elite field of 42 featuring athletes from Czechia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uruguay, the Netherlands, and Japan.
Men’s race
From the gun, the men’s race appeared to follow a familiar script. Rodrigue Kwizera, the Burundian-born athlete who now competes for Spain, settled into an early lead pack of 15. Having dominated Prague roads in recent years, Kwizera was the clear favorite.
By the 7K mark, the front pack fractured. Kenya’s Victor Kipruto Kiprono surged ahead, accompanied by countryman Elisha Kiprop Chemiron. By 8K, Kiprono appeared to have the win secured, running smoothly and opening a decisive gap.
Then course navigation intervened.
Approaching the final turn, Kiprono mistakenly followed the lead vehicle rather than the marked course. By the time he rerouted, Kwizera and Kenya’s Owen Korir Kapkama had swept past. Kwizera crossed the line in 27:15, breaking the Spanish national record by 10 seconds.
“I am very happy that I could race here, and even happier that I won,” Kwizera said. “The atmosphere helped me a lot, especially from the ninth kilometre. I’m really glad to record another victory in the Czech Republic.”
Further down the field, Japan’s Shunya Kikuchi lowered his country’s national record by eight seconds, stopping the clock at 28:07.
Women’s race
The women’s event unfolded with a fast opening pace set by Kenya’s Clare Chemtai Ndiwa and Purity Kajuju Gitonga, alongside Ethiopia’s Dida Diriba sisters. At the midpoint, Chaltu Dida Diriba moved to the front and asserted control.
The 19-year-old Ethiopian took the win in 30:04, finishing eight seconds ahead of her sister, Robe Dida Diriba. Kenya’s Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony took third in 30:23 to disrupt the potential Ethiopian podium sweep.
“The race was good, first place is great, so… everything is great,” said Chaltu Dida Diriba, who credited the Prague crowd for the fast atmosphere.
Austria’s Carina Reicht also notched a benchmark performance, taking 23 seconds off the Austrian national record to finish in 31:56.
Top results
Men – Elite
- Rodrigue Kwizera (ESP): 27:15
- Owen Korir Kapkama (KEN): 27:16
- Victor Kipruto Kiprono (KEN): 27:18
- Filex Kibet Masai (KEN): 27:19
- Santiago Catrofe (URU): 27:24
Women – Elite
- Chaltu Dida Diriba (ETH): 30:04
- Robe Dida Diriba (ETH): 30:12
- Cynthia Chelangat Chepkwony (KEN): 30:23
- Clare Chemtai Ndiwa (KEN): 30:39
- Yenenesh Shimket Ademas (ETH): 30:59
