Birell Grand Prix Prague 2026: More than 13,000 runners to take part on Saturday

The Czech capital will once again be all about running on Saturday evening. At the Birell Grand Prix, thousands of amateur runners will meet international elite athletes – with Prague hoping for a possible European record.

The Birell Grand Prix Prague 2026 is reaching a new participation record this year. More than 9,000 runners will take part in the Birell 10k Night Race, while a further 4,000 women are registered for the adidas Women's 5k. Both races on Saturday, 5 September, are sold out.

The main ten-kilometre race starts at 7.30 pm at the Municipal House (Obecní dům) on Náměstí Republiky. The fast and largely flat course leads through Karlín, among other areas, and crosses the Vltava twice. Compared with last year, the route has been slightly changed: the turning loop on Nábřeží Kapitána Jaroše has been removed, while the section on Nábřeží Edvarda Beneše towards Malostranská has been extended.

Photo: RunCzech

Kwizera targets European record

The focus of the men's field will be on Rodrigue Kwizera. The Burundi-born runner will compete for Spain in Prague for the first time after acquiring Spanish citizenship. His goal is the European record over ten kilometres, held by France's Yann Schrub with a time of 26:43 minutes.

Kwizera already won the Generali Prague Half Marathon in the spring in a course-record time of 58:16 minutes. His officially recognised personal best over ten kilometres is 26:54 minutes. In Madrid, he even ran the distance in 26:01 minutes, but the course did not meet the requirements for record recognition.

Among his strongest rivals are Kenyans Isaac Kibet Ndiema and Victor Kipruto Kiprono, as well as Uruguay's Santiago Catrofe. Several leading Japanese runners have also been announced.

Photo: RunCzech

In the women's race, Clare Chemtai Ndiwa of Kenya, with a personal best of 29:49 minutes, is considered the favourite. Also among the international elite field are Ethiopia's Chaltu Dida Diriba, Kenya's Miriam Chebet, as well as Germans Konstanze Klosterhalfen and Alina Reh. Austria will be represented, among others, by record holder Carina Reicht.

From a Czech perspective, Damián Vích, Patrik Vebr and Bára Stýblová are among those at the start. In the women's field, Tereza Hrochová is considered one of the most promising home runners.

Women's race starts at 6 pm

The adidas Women's 5k starts earlier, at 6 pm. The women's race is aimed at participants of all ages and performance levels. Elite athletes do not compete in this race, with the focus instead on exercise, community and the shared running experience.

Both races are also linked to social projects. The charity partner of the women's race is Pink Bubble, which supports young people after cancer treatment. The ten-kilometre race works with Cesta za snem, an organisation that brings people with and without disabilities together through sport.

Photo: RunCzech

For medical safety, eight so-called Running Doctors will once again be directly among the participants. In addition, Prague's emergency medical service will provide several medical points, ambulances and mobile bicycle patrols equipped with defibrillators.

Water, Mattoni drinks and isotonic drinks from Gatorade will be available for participants. In the ten-kilometre race, a refreshment station with fruit, water and isotonic drinks will be located at kilometre 5.5. There will also be two additional water stations.

The entire evening of racing will be broadcast on OnePlay and, with English commentary, on RunCzech's YouTube channel. The event is scheduled to finish at 9 pm.


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