Hot and thrilling atmosphere was the main characteristic of the Birell Grand Prix Prague taking place on the evening of September 7.
Birell 10K Race packed line up promised a fast race and it delivered. Kenyan Dennis Kibet Kitiyo took the first place with 27:17 followed by another Kenyan Vincent Kibet Langat 27:25. Diana Chepkorir confirmed her nr 1 on the bib and took the gold in amazing time 30:12 amongst.
Even thou the start of the race was at 7.30pm the temperature was still quite high. The men elite filed was very promising to break 27 minutes and the men began the race very fast in sub-26:50 pace.
Till fifth kilometre the leading group was very fast, holding together, co-operating and ready to finish in the desired time. There was a change at the seventh kilometre when the field broke a bit, leaving Kitiyo and Worku at the front position.
From the eighth kilometre onwards, Kitiyo ran alone and tried to push his time under 27 minutes until the finish line. Second place took Vincent Kibet Langat with 27:25 and the third was last year winner, Etiopian Tadese Worku in 27:32.
Favourited Rodrigue Kwizera finished fourth with 27:39. "I am very happy because I was the fastest,” said Kitiyo after finishing.
“I tried to push and push but it was really hot. There were better guys than me, so I am really very happy to win."
Number one in the women’s field, Diana Chepkorir was also thrilled for her victory: "I am very tired but very happy", said smiling but visibly exhausted Kenyan.
Chepkorir left the field and also her pacemaker behind right after start closely following the male group. In the middle of the race she slowed a bit and then tried to finish under 30 minutes which she missed by few seconds.
Second place took Miriam Chebet more than one minute behind Chepkorir in 31:28. Etiopian Lemlem Nibret Alemu finished third with 32:20. Czech favourite Martin Zajíc (30:16), the multiple national champion in the 10k distance, finished second after a surprising winner Jan Friš 30:12 who finished alongside Chepkorir in the same time.
Third was Patrik Vebr, both Vebr and Zajíc being members of RunCzech Racing Team. The best Czech woman was Tereza Hrochová, Czech Olympian who made her new personal best 33:17 which she was very happy for. At 6 pm started also adidas Women's Race 5K with 2200 runners being the largest female only event in Prague.
The run is mainly for hobby runners attracting interest by the broad female running public. Marcela Joglová, former Czech marathoner and Tokio 2021 Olympian took part in the race to support the charity cause.
"I enjoyed it very much to run again and for a good cause, it made me very happy," said Joglová in the finish. The winner was Radka Hanzlová, 18:08, who is a running trainer in RunCzech facilities.
Both 5k and 10k events were sold out, in the 10K race there was 5500 participants. Birell 10K Race holds Elite Label Road Race and was also streamed on the Inside Track by World Athletics.
Fast course and magical evening Prague surroundings seems to be very attractive for both elite and hobby runners showing that Birell Grand Prix belongs to the top class running events.
