Sold Out Race and Amazing Atmosphere. After Three Years, UniCredit Prague Relay Returned to the Czech Capital

The unique team race returned in a big style to Prague’s Stromovka Park on Thursday 23rd June, after a three-year pause caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nine hundred teams of 3 600 runners signed up for the popular race to compete with colleagues or friends over four five-kilometers stretches, filling the maximum capacity of the race to the very last place.

“We are overwhelmed by the huge interest the UniCredit Prague Relay has generated. The atmosphere on and around the course was fascinating, it was obvious that people really enjoyed the race,” said Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech organizing team. The first competitors hit the track at 6 p.m., full of enthusiasm and energy, despite the hot weather that prevailed at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.

From the beginning on, great spirits, fair competition and joy of sharing a special experience accompanied the four-people team race. UniCredit Prague Relay lived up to its reputation as one of the most popular runs in the Czech Republic.

The Kalokagathia Aliance team was the first to cross the finish line, completing the 20-kilometer course in 1:01:40, followed by the Adidas Runners Speed (1:05:01) and OTC Vlčáci (1:08:04) teams. The participants had a chance to use the event also as teambuilding, a bachelor party, a school reunion or any kind of celebration, and raise the profile of their project or company during the run at the same time.

As in previous years, there were also special Open categories for the bank representatives and members of the Czech Banking Association (Bank Cup), employees and members of Chambers of Commerce (Chambers Cup) or members and staff of foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices and cultural centers of foreign countries (Diplomatic Cup). The category of medical professionals was expanded for the first time to include the Integrated Rescue System (IZS Cup).

Well-known personalities also participated in the race, as both competitors and spectators. The sports presenter Jiří Ježek, for example, built up one of the teams.

“I have been participating in the Prague Relay since its very beginning, I am fascinated by the team spirit of this race and always look forward to it very much. The main highligt for me is the fact that I am not running just for myselft, but that four people join all their forces to achieve the best possible result together,” the six-time Paralympic champion and six-time world champion in cycling said a few minutes before the start.

The legendary Czech surgeon Professor Pavel Pafko also came to encourage his colleagues and other runners. He himself actively participated in the previous year’s relay.

This year he presented the award to the best teams in the category of medical professionals and also stressed the importance of running and sport in general: “Almost 4 000 people are taking part in this relay, but then there are thousands of others for whom this race could be a turning point and a huge motivation to start running tomorrow. I really admire and applaud anyone who can do it, start running and do something for her or his health.”

The dm Bambini run for kids was also on the program. This run was completely free and each participant received a T-shirt, a starting number and a medal at the finish line. According to the age categories, the courses were adjusted from 100 to 200 meters.