The historic city is set to host the annual 26.2-mile event on May 3, with nearly 12,000 runners.
All eyes of the world’s running fans will turn to Prague on Sunday, May 3. The start of the Vodafone Prague Marathon will feature elite international athletes with personal bests of 2:06 in the men’s category and 2:20 in the women’s category, including experienced marathoners and debutants who can significantly influence the results. The start list promises fast racing and battles for the top positions in both the men’s and women’s categories.
One of the big names in the men’s race will be Kenyan Justus Kipkorir Limo, who improved his personal best to 2:04:55 in Seville this year. He comes to Prague with the ambition to run even faster and be among the main favorites. Limon hails from Kaptagat, a place associated with many of the elite marathons in the endurance running world. His preparation is based on daily discipline and hard training, the foundations that have long made the Kenyan running school one of the strongest in the world.
He faces very strong competition from other runners with personal bests at the world’s elite level. Ethiopia’s Berehanu Vandemu Tsegu will arrive in Prague in 2:05:14 from Dubai, Kenya’s Victor Kipchirchir has a best time of 2:05:43 from Barcelona and Lamek Kibiwot Tu, also from Kenya, clocked 2:06:29 in Rotterdam. Other holders of personal bests between 2:05 and 2:05 are also starting, such as Andualem Belay Shiferau, who ran 2:04:44 in Berlin in 2023, and Barcelius Kipyego, who clocked 2:04:48 in Paris two years ago. The depth of the men’s field could be one of the key factors in the race. If a strong group forms at the start, the Prague course could once again offer many high-quality times.
Another interesting name will be Teshome Mekonen, who will represent the USA in Prague. A native of Tigray, Ethiopia, whose journey has taken him from school races through Africa and world championships to road racing. He enters the marathon with a personal best of 2:10:16 from Berlin, aiming to improve his record.
The women’s race will also offer a strong line-up. Among the big names is Kenya’s Angela Jemesunde Tanui, who clocked a personal best of 2:17:57 from Amsterdam. He has already competed in the Generali Prague Half Marathon in Prague this year, where he clocked 1:08:40, and now he returns to the Czech capital for the full marathon distance.
“I am very happy that I ran the Prague Marathon for the first time. I ran the half marathon in Prague a few weeks ago, and based on what I’ve been training for, I think I can run well. I would like to invite all the people of Prague to come out and support us. A marathon is a long and demanding race and the support of the running crowd speaks volumes.
However, the women’s F1 starting number will be worn by Ethiopia’s Moulie Dekebo Hailemariam, who has a personal best of 2:18:43 from Dubai and is currently the fastest woman to start. The women’s field thus promises to run at a very high pace.
It will also be interesting to watch two marathon debutants, Ethiopia’s Yalemlet Yaregal Mekuriav, with a 1:07:56 performance from this year’s Generali Prague Half Marathon, and Kenya’s Millicent Jelimo, who is racing from Rome with a half marathon personal best of 1:08:37.
This year, the Vodafone Prague Marathon will feature an elite international field that combines experience, fast personal bests and new marathon ambitions. On Sunday, May 3, Prague will once again be among the cities where fast, world-class racing awaits.
Vodafone Prague Marathon 2026: ● Edition: 31st
● Date: Sunday, May 3, starting at 8:00 AM
● Beginning and end. Old town square
● Capacity: 11,800 participants (at full capacity)
● Men’s Course Record: 2:05:09 – Alexander Mutiso, KEN (2023)
● Women’s Course Record: 2:19:46 – Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, ISR (2019)
● Best Czech performance – men: 2:12:35 – Robert Stefko (2004)
● Best Czech Performance – Women: 2:30:10 – Eva Vrabcova Nivltova (2016)
