Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon
50 - 80 €
Pros
- Good running conditions
- Scenografic during and outside the race
- Budget OK
Cons
- A bit crowded
| Edition: | 23rd (2023) |
| World Athletics Label Road Race: | Yes |
| Expected participants: | 11500 |
| Distances: | 21K, single and relay |
| Type of race: | Flat, city run |
| Time limit: | 3 hours |
Review of Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon
Since I started traveling to participate to running competitions, Prague Half Marathon was already on my bucket list. I am in love with this city, capable of assuming different nuances of beauty. Dark and mysterious in the night or with bad weather, Prague puts a fancy dress with the good weather, offering a totally different image of itself to our eyes.
The event
The Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon was run for the 22nd time in 2022. It is one of the main European events at the beginning of spring, a period when events, like flowers, are blooming across the continent. Spring conditions are good for running across Europe: Berlin, Florence, Madrid, Budapest are only examples of the alternative half marathons you can select in end of March or April.
This race is awarded with the IAAF Gold Race Label assessing the quality of the race and its organization. It is fast, although some traits can be a bit crowded, and mostly flat. And it is beautiful, with many passages on the Vitava river through the scenic bridges.
Organization
No complains about the organization, from on-line booking (fast and with the chance of opt out for the T-shirt, if you like), to the race pack pick-up process. The only downside probably the Expo a bit far away from the course start and finish; although not a real nuisance, pay attention to that if you are planning a quick trip. Prague however does deserve a few days visit! I recommend to take it easy and don’t compress this trip 🙂
The chilly temperatures (average 10 °C) and the mostly flat course set good conditions for running.
Personal impressions
All runners are beautiful! This was the motto of the race. And I agree, also my experience was beautiful. Like most events I participate after the winter break, I paid the price of a bad training: even the negligible uphill traits were looking like walls to me! I ended above 2 hours 20 minutes, and spent the afternoon sleeping under some beautiful cherry trees (which I wanted to celebrate putting them in the cover :)) Prague gave me a lot of fun also during the recovery part. Low price, good beer, pragmatically iper-proteic Czech food helped a lot with the recovery… and the morale 😀
I think, for all these reasons, this event has everything a traveling runner may look for. As a bonus, generally speaking, flight connections and hotel / B&B options allow to get to Prague without spending a fortune!
Did you like this review of Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon? Please read also my trip advises about what to do in Prague, and contact me for any question!
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