For the first time in the 28-year history of the main race, Czech winners are guaranteed. With the elite start lists in both the men’s and women’s categories made up entirely of domestic athletes.
“One of the best-known and oldest RunCzech races is giving an opportunity to Czech athletes to stand out in a prestigious race and to present fans with an attractive and dramatic viewing experience,” explained Carlo Capalbo, chairman of the RunCzech Organizing Committee.
The top men
The Birell 10k Night Race promises thrilling running stories on multiple fronts. The men’s field suggests we will see a close fight for victory, and even the national record could be shaken. Defending it will be Damián Vích, who earlier this year set a new Czech record of 28:21. On Saturday, September 6, two other members of the successful RunCzech Racing Team will also line up at the start. Patrik Vebr, the current national champion in the 5k and in the half-marathon, has shown strong form this season. And the third top contender is Martin Zajíc, who has remained undefeated in the national 10k championships since 2021.
Czech running greats will also join the fight for victory. Jakub Zemaník, a three-time national 10k road champion, will run alongside 15-time national title holder Vít Pavlišta and Jiří Homoláč, an incredible 36-time national medalist. Together, they will push the limits in pursuit of a historic goal – breaking the legendary 26-year-old race record of 29:26, set by Pavel Faschingbauer in 1999.
The top women
In the women’s category, a national record holder will also appear. Just like Damián Vích, Tereza Hrochová set the best performance of all time at the beginning of this season. In early February, she won in Bad Füssing, Bavaria, with an excellent time of 32:06. She’ll be supported by national team member Bára Stýblová, a versatile runner with seven victories already this season, including gold at the national half-marathon championship.
Beyond the elite competition, around 7,000 runners will light up Prague’s historic center at 7:30 p.m. The course begins and ends at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky), with runners crossing the Vltava River twice. Along the route, four refreshment and cooling stations and seven Music Points with live bands and DJs will create a festive atmosphere for both participants and spectators.
This year’s charity partner is Cesta za snem, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and inspiring people through movement and sport.
The weekend festivities begin with the adidas Women’s 5k Run at 6:00 p.m., celebrating its 25th chapter. Designed exclusively for women, this race is less about records and more about community. With a 50-minute time limit, the course is accessible for runners of all levels.
“Thousands of women, one shared pace – the adidas Women’s 5k Run is more than just a race – it’s an electrifying wave of support, strength, and joy of movement. We believe every woman deserves a space where she can run confidently, fully, and with the feeling that she’s part of something greater,” said Patryk Cebartowski, adidas Sports Marketing Director.
This year, the race partners with the Bellis project, supporting young women who are undergoing or have undergone treatment for breast cancer. About 3,000 women are expected to take part, starting and finishing at Republic Square.
Birell Grand Prix Prague 2025
Birell Grand Prix Prague 2025
Czech National records on 10 km road
MEN – 28:21 Damián Vích, Jan 12, 2025, Valencia
WOMEN – 32:06 Tereza Hrochová, Feb 2, 2025, Bad Füssing
Best Czech performances – Birell 10 km Evening Run
Men
· 29:26 Pavel Faschingbauer (1999)
· 29:27 Pavel Faschingbauer (2002)
· 29:28 Pavel Faschingbauer (2001)
· 29:30 Jakub Zemaník (2018)
· 29:31 Damián Vích (2023)
· 29:35 Jiří Homoláč (2018)
· 29:40 Róbert Štefko (2004)
· 29:45 Milan Kocourek (2011)
· 29:46 Pavel Faschingbauer (2004)
· 29:47 Jan Kreisinger (2014)
· 29:47 Vít Pavlišta (2019)
Women
· 33:06 Eva Vrabcová Nývltová (2017)
· 33:07 Eva Vrabcová Nývltová (2015)
· 33:17 Tereza Hrochová (2024)
· 33:40 Tereza Hrochová (2022)
· 33:47 Tereza Hrochová (2023)
· 33:57 Eva Vrabcová Nývltová (2018)
· 33:59 Anežka Drahotová (2013)
· 34:19 Kristiina Mäki (2016)
· 34:40 Tereza Čapková (2016)
· 34:41 Moira Stewartová (2018)
Interview with Damián Vich
This year, Damián Vích has already broken national records in both the 10K road race and the steeplechase. He has represented Czechia at the European Road Running Championships and the European Team Championships on the track. Meanwhile, he triumphed at the Mattoni Half Marathon in Karlovy Vary, becoming the first Czech winner in the history of the EuroHeroes series.
Now, Vích is preparing for Saturday’s 10K race as part of the prestigious Birell Grand Prix Prague.
“Transitioning to the 10K after such a season is challenging, mainly because of training volume and fatigue, but in terms of speed, I’m in better shape now than, for example, in January in Valencia,” says the RunCzech Racing Team member.
Q: Many experts consider you the top favourite for Saturday’s Birell 10K. Do you accept this role?
A: Yes, I accept it and see it as a strong motivation. I want to prove that I deserve this role and aim to run the fastest time possible. Of course, it brings some nerves, but I’ve shown multiple times that I can perform under pressure. I believe it will push me further.
Q: The Czech record currently stands at 28:21 minutes. What conditions would make breaking it possible?
A: The most important thing is to feel good on race day. Weather also plays a big role – for me, the ideal is no wind and no rain. But whatever the conditions, I’ll give my best.
Q: Other elite long-distance runners and RunCzech Racing Team members Martin Zajíc and Patrik Vebr will also compete. Do you discuss the race together or focus on your own strategy?
A: We’ve talked about it and even trained together. We all know how the race will go because we have an agreed pacer, so no big surprises are expected. It will mostly come down to who is in the best form.
Q: Do you prefer evening races as the 10K race in Prague starts at 7:30 PM?
A: Yes, evening races suit me better than morning ones. I’m used to it because most track competitions take place in the evening, so preparation is not difficult for me.
Q: You focused primarily on the steeplechase during the summer leading up to the World Championships. How challenging is the transition to a road 10K?
A: Qualifying for the World Championships was a major goal. Even though I ran a Czech record, the competition was tough and it wasn’t enough. Transitioning to the 10K after such a season is challenging due to training volume and fatigue. On the other hand, in terms of speed, I’m in better shape now than in January in Valencia (when I set the Czech 10K record), so I’ll rely more on speed reserves.
Q: You’re known for your signature look, wearing a stylish headband at every start. Which one will you choose for the Birell 10K?
A: This time, it will be a completely new version, so fans can expect a slightly different style. The headband is not a talisman – the main thing is that I feel comfortable wearing it.
