Prague Marathon

Finish line of the 2008 marathon

The Prague Marathon (also known as Prague International Marathon (PIM) and Volkswagen Prague Marathon) is held in the city of Prague Czech Republic each May. It was founded in 1995 and has grown to became a significant marathon event, being awarded IAAF Gold Label status.^[1] According to media it is the world's most international marathon, with two-thirds of runners coming from 55 different countries. Prague's marathon course is also the seventh fastest and has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world.^[2]

The Prague Marathon event takes place over a full weekend and comprises several events, including the Volkswagen Prague Marathon, the Volkswagen Family Minimarathon 4.2 km, the Allianz Eco Walk 2 km, and the In-line party 6.5 km - a skating event. The Hervis Prague Half Marathon, which is also awarded IAAF Gold Label status, is held each March or April.^[3]

Since its inception in 1995, the men's race has been dominated by East African runners, with Kenyan athletes in particular winning 13 titles alone. Hélder Ornelas became the first and so far only European men's winner in 2007. The winners of the women's race have been mainly Russian and Kenyan. Elena Vinitskaya of Belarus is the most successful women's athlete however, with her three straight wins from 1996 to 1998. Eliud Kiptanui is the men's record holder with 2:05:39 hours while Lydia Cheromei has the women's course best of 2:22:34 hours.^[4]

Past winners

Taking on refreshment during the 2010 Prague Marathon

Key:       Course record       Czech Republic championship race

Edition	Year	Men's winner	Time (h:m:s)	Women's winner	Time (h:m:s)
1st	1995	Tumo Turbo (ETH)	2:12:44	Svetlana Tkach (MDA)	2:39:33
2nd	1996	William Musyoki (KEN)	2:12:21	Elena Vinitskaya (BLR)	2:37:33
3rd	1997	John Kagwe (KEN)	2:09:07	Elena Vinitskaya (BLR)	2:32:58
4th	1998	Elijah Lagat (KEN)	2:08:52	Elena Vinitskaya (BLR)	2:34:25
5th	1999	Eliud Kering (KEN)	2:11:19	Franca Fiacconi (ITA)	2:28:33
6th	2000	Simon Chemoiywo (KEN)	2:10:35	Alina Ivanova (RUS)	2:27:42
7th	2001	Andrea Sambu Sipe (TAN)	2:10:14	Maura Viceconte (ITA)	2:26:33
8th	2002	Henry Tarus Kiprotich (KEN)	2:11:41	Alevtina Ivanova (RUS)	2:32:24
9th	2003	Willy Cheruiyot Kipkirui (KEN)	2:11:56	Anne Jelegat Kibor (KEN)	2:31:10
10th	2004	Barnabas Kipkoech (KEN)	2:12:15	Leila Aman (ETH)	2:31:48
11th	2005	Stephen Cheptot Matebo (KEN)	2:10:42	Salina Kosgei (KEN)	2:28:42
12th	2006	Mubarak Hassan Shami (QAT)	2:11:11	Alina Ivanova (RUS)	2:29:20
13th	2007	Hélder Ornelas (POR)	2:11:49	Nailiya Yulamanova (RUS)	2:33:10
14th	2008	Kenneth Mburu Mungara (KEN)	2:11:06	Nailiya Yulamanova (RUS)	2:31:43
15th	2009	Patrick Ivuti Mukutu (KEN)	2:07:48	Olga Glok (UKR)	2:28:27
16th	2010	Eliud Kiptanui (KEN)	2:05:39	Helena Kirop (KEN)	2:25:29
17th	2011	Benson Barus (KEN)	2:07:07	Lydia Cheromei (KEN)	2:22:34
18th	2012	Deressa Chimsa (ETH)	2:06:25	Agnes Kiprop (KEN)	2:25:40
19th	2013	Nicholas Kemboi (QAT)	2:08:51	Caroline Rotich (KEN)	2:27:00

References

List of winners

• Prague International Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2012-05-13.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prague Marathon.

• praguemarathon.com

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