The cold weather (only 7º C), rain and windwere the main features of the 10th Prague International Marathon which was held on Sunday 23 May 2004. But these weather conditions did not prevent 4472 runners from 53 countries to cross the start line on the Old Town Square.
For the third time Vaclav Klaus, the Czech President, fired the ceremonial gun at 9am. which signaled that the race had officially begun. A little bit later about 15,000 runners of other non-competitive runs had joined the marathoners to run through the picturesque streets of Prague.
But the race itself wasn’t the only thing that attracted thousands of visitors to the start area on rainy May Sunday. The Marathon Expo and Staropramen Marathon Music Festival drew hundreds of people who weren’t even running to the one of the most beautiful places of the city.
After the competition at the press conference all top athletes told reporters that the racing conditions were good despite being rainy and windy and that they were thoroughly pleased with the new course and event’s organization as a whole.
As far as the results themselves are concerned, a debutante from Kenya, Barnabas Koech surprised everybody as he captured the first place trophy with a time of 2:12:15.
Dessagelen Birru (ETH), finished second when he crossed the finish line with 2:12:25 improving his own best time in 11 minutes.
Third and at the same time the first European runner was Robert Stefko from Slovakia as he came 2:12:35 after the starting gun was fired. At the press conference he said that the cold weather was only an advantage for him. This result, the third best one in his whole carriere, will allow him to také part in this year‘s Olympic Games in Athens as a representative of Czech Republic.
Leila Ammanova (ETH) surprised everybody as she won the women's race with 2:31:49 – it was her first debut as well, second finished Kenyan Kilel Caroline Cheptonui (KEN) with a time of 2:32:52, third came in Anne Jelagat Kibor (KEN) with 2:33:37.
The day‘s events as a whole were a success and spectators and runners alike walked away with a smile on their face. They‘ll be looking forward to the next event in the Prague International Marathon Running Circuit 2004… the Prague Grand Prix to be held on 19 September. We hope to see you there!
