Prague
The RunCzech running series has announced bold ambitions for the 2026 season: to exceed last
year’s 100,577 active participants, further increase its economic contribution to host cities
across the Czech Republic, and continue promoting its core values of health, youth
engagement, community, charity, and sustainability.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at Prague City Hall, where
representatives of RunCzech and the City of Prague emphasized their shared commitment to
sport as a driver of public health and international visibility.
Preparations are well underway for one of Central Europe’s largest half marathons,
the Generali Prague Half Marathon, which sold out its full capacity of 17,000 runners in just 2
hours and 23 minutes.
“The half marathon sold out in 2 hours and 23 minutes, and demand exceeded available
registrations,” said Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of Prague. “RunCzech has an international reach
and represents exactly the kind of sporting activity we want to promote in Prague: supporting
health, movement, community, and showcasing our city to the world. That is why we proudly
support it.”
In 2025, RunCzech ranked as the third-largest running series in continental Europe,
organizing 42 events across the country. Participation trends show strong international growth
as well as increasing female representation. Women accounted for 41% of participants in the
2025 season.
International runners played a particularly significant role. A remarkable 36,207 foreign athletes
registered in 2025, representing 36% of total participants, with 147 nationalities represented.
“Through events like the ones RunCzech organizes, we create motivation especially for young
people,” added Antonín Klecanda, Prague City Councillor for Education and Sport.
“Many children are active in sports, but as they enter their teenage years, they often drop out.
Events like this give them inspiration and a goal to strive for. Running with the beautiful city of
Prague as a backdrop is an unforgettable experience.”
Global Broadcast Reach, Influencer Engagement
RunCzech further promotes Prague and the Czech Republic through live-streamed races
with Czech and English commentary. The global broadcast of the Prague International
Marathon reached 74.3 million households across 106 countries.
The organization has also expanded collaboration with international influencers, welcoming
content creators from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and China, strengthening Prague’s position
as a global running destination.
With over 100,000 annual participants, RunCzech delivers a significant economic contribution
to host cities and the national economy.
The total economic impact of RunCzech events in 2025 was calculated at approximately €45
million. According to RunCzech Communications Director Jiří Nečásek, the methodology was
developed in cooperation with CzechTourism and includes spending related to sports
participation, travel, accommodation, public transportation, cultural visits, and additional
services.
From left – Carlo Capalbo, Bohuslav Svoboda, Antonín Klecanda, Jiří Nečásek.
Approximately €32,8 million of the total impact was generated by Prague-based races alone.
International Field at 2026 Prague Half Marathon
The next major event in the series will be the 26th edition of the Generali Prague Half
Marathon, taking place on Saturday, March 28.
International runners will again form the majority of the 17,000-strong field. Nearly 2,300
participants are traveling from Germany. Other notable statistics include 255 runners from
Brazil and 66 from Colombia. After Prague, the most represented cities are Berlin, London, and
Madrid.
With its combination of elite sport, mass participation, international diversity, and measurable
economic impact, RunCzech continues to position Prague as one of Europe’s leading running
capitals.
RunCzech organizes running events in several cities across Central Europe and Italy, and
cooperates with partner events throughout Europe and around the world with eight RunCzech
events holding World Athletics Labels.
In 2025, RunCzech hosted 100,577 runners across all events.
The Prague International Marathon was founded in 1995 by Carlo Capalbo, President of the
Organizing Committee, with the aim of organizing a world-class international marathon in
Prague.
In 2010, the Olomouc Half Marathon became the first race outside of Prague. This marked the
transformation of the race series initially organized by the Prague International
Marathon into RunCzech.
The Napoli Running project is part of RunCzech and organizes three races in Italy. Its flagship
race, the Napoli City Half Marathon, is currently the fastest Italian half marathon, holding both
the male and female Italian half marathon records.
In 2019, RunCzech welcomed its one-millionth runner. Throughout its history, 1 569
560 runners have participated in RunCzech events.
The largest race is the Prague Half Marathon, attracting 17,000 participants in 2026, with more
than half of them coming from abroad.
In 2024, world half-marathon champion Sabastian Sawe set a new race record of 58:24, placing
Prague as the 3rd fastest half marathon course in the world.
In 2026, the Prague International Marathon will celebrate its 31st anniversary.
