The Kenyan Patrick Ivuti beat the 42 km at the 15th anniversary of the Prague International Marathon on Sunday, 10th may 2009 11:07:48 with a new track record. With his time of 2:07:48, he humbled the original best result after eleven years and entered the history of Prague athletics.

The high morning temperatures and hot sun were mastered by the runners also thanks to Mattoni mineral water, which surely now represents an integral part of the Prague marathon. Throughout the whole fifteen years it is always there where needed and athletes appreciate it very much! Even the figures speak for themselves: 41,169 litres of Mattoni, which at the conversion to common bottles of 1.5 litres is 27,746 pieces. That much Mattoni was consumed for the optimum drinking regime of contestants of all categories.

The thirty-year-old Ivuti, whose prize money was approximately 1.5 million crowns, won two years ago at a prestigious marathon in Chicago. “In Prague, the track is more difficult and so even though my record is two seconds better, I am satisfied about the time, too.”

The weather favoured the enthusiastic 6,022 runners from the whole world too much, but owing to the temperature drop in the second half the conditions were optimal. The contest, which was started by the star Roman Šebrle, was also praised by Pavel Bém, the Prague city mayor. The legendary sports commentator Štěpán Škorpil was encouraging from the podium together with Ondřej Liška, Vladimír Špidla and Dana Zátopkova. The beauty and vitality in the Old-Town Square was represented by the current Czech beauty queen Iveta Lutovská and ex-beauty queen of the Czech Republic Jana Doleželová, who personally involved in refreshing the guests with non-alcoholic cocktails.

All together were keen on the unique sports event, which was from head to toe guided by Mattoni, the official water of the Prague International Marathon.

Prague International Marathon Results:

Men:

1. Ivuti 2:07:48

2. Kibiwott 2:07:54

3. Munzara 2:10:29 (all from Kenya)

Women:

1. Glokova 2:28:27 (Russia)

The Prague International Marathon was also the Championship of the Czech Republic. The fastest Czech runner was the thirty-seven-year-old Mulugeta Serbessa, a physician-orthopaedist from Týn nad Vltavou and Bechyně. A native from Ethiopia was the fifteenth in the finish with his time of 2:27:16.

Mattoni is the official water of all events of the Prague International Marathon.

11th May 2009

Two fours stand for the placing of the Mattoni contestants in the relay race of the Prague International Marathon. Out of 198 teams, contestants from the company of Karlovarské minerální vody won the nice 44th place and stood in the first fourth of the Company marathon result list. For the first time Mattoni supported the Marathon weekend not only by supplying beverages for all active participants, but also with its enthusiastic contestants, who defended the colours of this significant producer of mineral and spring waters. They beat the track of 42.195 km in the total time of 3:23:52. More information about this year’s Volkswagen Marathon Prague held between the 9th and 10th May 2009 is soon to be found at following websites.

April 29, 2009

You can select out of five different sports events on the weekend of May 9 and 10, 2009 if you come to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, for the Prague International Marathon. One of them will be the fifteenth year of the flag-ship of this series of competitions in running – the Volkswagen Prague Marathon. Another event comprising a part of the programme, the Volkswagen Corporate Marathon, is set up for corporate teams which can run as a relay or each member of the team can run the whole marathon course (that is 4 x 42.19 km). The Volkswagen Family Minimarathon of 4.2 km will be part of the series this year as well. Those who prefer walking to running can participate in a two-kilometre Allianz Eco Walk and the in-line skaters can enjoy a 6.5 km long In-line Party in the Stromovka Park. Both the joy of motion as a natural part of the Prague International Marathon, and the mineral water Mattoni are indispensable parts of this sports festival.

The Volkswagen Prague Marathon, ranking among the best 10 marathons of the world, will be run for the 15th time this year. Over 4500 runners from 72 countries of the world took part in it in 2008. The men’s record of the race is 2:08:52 hours and it was achieved by Elijah Lagat from Kenya in 1998. The women’s record belongs to the Italian runner Maura Viceconte. She finished the race through the streets of Prague in 2001 in 2:26:33 hours.

The Volkswagen Corporate Marathon is set up for four-member teams. The teams can choose from two options – each participant can run the whole marathon and the individual results will be counted up, or they can run the whole length of the marathon as a relay. In this case, the first three competitors will run for 10 km each and the last relay member will run the remaining 12.195 km. This is the second year of this team or relay race and the winners will be announced in the team category as well as among the individuals, according to age and occupation.

Both races will be held on Sunday, May 10. The Volkswagen Prague Marathon for individuals and teams will be started at 9:00 AM. The relay Volkswagen Corporate Marathon will be started at 9:10. The races will start and finish at the Old Town Square.

Detailed information about the other events, including information about registration, can be found at the Prague International Marathon’s website: www.pim.cz.

28 Mar 2009	Hervis Prague Half Marathon Prague, 21.0975 km Corporate Half Marathon (relay/team) 3x5 km + 6.0975 km Expo Half Marathon
1 – 30 Apr 2009	Garnier Junior Marathon – semi-finals
7 – 9 May 2009	Marathon Sport Expo
9 – 10 May 2009	Volkswagen Marathon Weekend
9 May 2009	In-line Party 6.5 km
10 May 2009	Volkswagen Prague Marathon 42.195 km Volkswagen Corporate Marathon (relay/team) 3x10 km + 12.195 km Garnier Junior Marathon – Finals Volkswagen Family Mini-marathon 4.2 km Allianz Eco Walk 2 km
12 Sep 2009	Tesco Prague Grand Prix Tesco Run for Health 3.8 km Adidas Women’s Race 5 km Metro Men’s Race 10 km Hilton Barmen’s Race Embassy Race

For more information, please visit www.praguemarathon.com.