Prague International Marathon: Elite Runners to Watch in the 30th Edition

This weekend, Prague is set to host its 30th annual marathon, attracting thousands, including elite athletes, on May 5.

The Prague Marathon will serve as the final opportunity for elite runners to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Leading the elite men's lineup is Herpasa Negasa Kitesa from Ethiopia, who has a personal best of 2:03:40 from the 2019 Dubai Marathon. Kitesa also secured a second-place finish at last year's Seoul Marathon, though he did not finish the 2022 Chicago and 2023 Boston Marathons.

In the women's elite category, Dorcas Jepchirchir from Kenya is a top contender. She recorded a personal best of 2:20:02 and won last year's Hamburg Marathon in 2:20:09, also placing third in Amsterdam.

Jepchirchir faces competition from Ethiopian runner Buzunesh Getachew, who won the Frankfurt Marathon last year with a personal best time of 2:19:27.

The marathon will feature 26 elite men and 25 elite women. It starts at 9 AM CEST in Prague's historic Old Town Square.

Lemi Berhanu Hayle, another prominent Ethiopian and the 2016 Boston Marathon winner with a personal best of 2:04:33, is also competing. Having won the Mumbai Marathon earlier this year, Hayle is a strong contender.

Overall, over 10000 participants will join the race, running through the scenic streets of Prague.