Rodrigue Kwizera from Burundi and Kenyan Clare Chemtai Ndiwa are the two favourites to win the Birell Grand Prix Prague 10K on Saturday, September 5.
The men
The men’s race will centre on Rodrigue Kwizera, the Burundian‑born athlete making his first appearance for Spain after securing citizenship. He arrives in Prague with a singular objective: the European 10K record of 26:43, held by France’s Yann Schrub. Kwizera has already shown he can operate at that level. He won the 2026 Generali Half Marathon Prague in a race‑record 58:16, and last year clocked 26:54 for 10K. In Madrid, he covered the distance in 26:01, which is a performance that would have rewritten the record books had the course met world‑record criteria.
Backing him are several proven internationals: Victor Kipruto Kiprono of Kenya (PB 27:10), Santiago Catrofe of Uruguay (27:16), and Isaac Kibet Ndiema of Kenya (26:55). France’s Romain Legendre enters as the dark horse.
The field gains further depth with a quartet of Japanese athletes. Tomoya Ogikubo brings strong credentials from 5K through the half marathon. Shunya Kikuchi is a marathon specialist, while Maki Izumida adds experience over 5,000 and 10,000 metres. In the women’s race, rising talent Koharu Chugo — already considered one of Japan’s brightest prospects — joins the lineup.
The women
Kenya’s Clare Chemtai Ndiwa is the clear favourite, having run 29:49 for 10K. Ethiopia’s Chaltu Dida Diriba sits one second back on the all‑time list. They will be joined by Kenya’s Miriam Chebet, Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen and Alina Reh, and Austrian record holder Carina Reicht.
The Czech contingent is led by Damián Vích, who set the national race record of 28:46 in 2025, along with Patrik Vebr and newcomer Bára Stýblová. Tereza Hrochová is the top domestic favourite in the women’s race.
The 10K includes a three‑member team competition and the Birell Cup, open to employees of Plzeňský Prazdroj. Birell has partnered with RunCzech for 11 years.
The schedule opens Saturday at 6 p.m. with the 26th adidas Women’s 5K Run, designed for women of all ages and abilities. With a 50‑minute time limit and no elite field, the emphasis is on participation, movement and shared experience. A popular doubles category returns.
Over 13 Thousand People Will Run Through the Evening Capital, Kwizera Will Attack the European Record.
On Saturday, September 5, 2026, one of the world’s most popular and fastest races, the Birell Grand Prix Prague, will return to the illuminated streets in the center of Prague.
The traditional running festival offers two courses: the purely women’s adidas Women’s 5k run and, above all, the Birell 10k Night Race. Both events report being completely sold out, with a total of over 13,000 participants, representing a historical record for the event. Alongside thousands of runners of 98 different nationalities, the world elite will stand at the starting line of the 10k race, with their sights set at minimum on breaking the European record.
Event Schedule (Saturday, September 5, 2026)
6:00 PM Start of the adidas Women’s Race 5k (Náměstí Republiky)
6:50 PM Time limit for the 5k race
7:30 PM Start of the Birell 10k Evening Run (Náměstí Republiky)
9:00 PM Time limit for the 10k race, end of event
