Prague Marathon 2027: date, bibs and course

Plan your race pace

The 2027 Prague International Marathon is on Sunday 2 May, starting at 8:00. The weekend begins on Saturday 1 May with the family and children’s races, and entries for 2027 are already open with RunCzech, the organisers.

Prague has held its marathon every May since 1995 and it is one of the most scenic in Europe: it starts and finishes in the old town and crosses the river Vltava several times, with Charles Bridge and the castle as a backdrop.

Key facts for 2027

• Date: Sunday 2 May 2027 (race weekend 1–2 May).
• Start: 8:00, for the marathon, the marathon duo and the relay.
• Expo and bib collection: at Výstaviště, Prague 7 (Bubeneč), on Friday 30 April and Saturday 1 May, 10:00 to 20:00.
• Course records: 2:05:09 for men (Alexander Mutiso, 2023) and 2:19:46 for women (Lonah Chemtai, 2019).
• Entries: open at runczech.com.

The course

The Prague Marathon runs along both banks of the Vltava, with several river crossings, and keeps returning to the historic centre, where the crowds gather. It is a fast course, largely flat, although the cobbles of the old town call for care with your shoes and at the aid stations. Early on a Sunday in May, the temperature is usually kind.

Watch out for the half marathon: the Generali Prague Half Marathon on 3 April 2027 is sold out, and the organisers warn that fake bib resales are circulating.

Logistics for international runners

• Bib collection: Friday 30 April or Saturday 1 May at Výstaviště; there is no collection on Sunday, so you need to arrive by Saturday at the latest.
• Where to stay: the Old Town and New Town keep the start within walking distance. The 1 May holiday means the city is busy. We will publish an accommodation guide with real prices before the race.

The start and finish: what to check on the map

Old Town Square, next to the Astronomical Clock, is listed as the start and finish point in a description of the Prague Marathon 2027. However, the exact location of the start and finish must be confirmed on the official map for the edition before making travel arrangements.. The exact location must be confirmed on the official map for the edition before making travel arrangements.

The distinction matters for runners and their supporters alike: the entrance to the start area will not necessarily coincide with the most convenient place to meet afterwards. It is also worth checking the access points and any restrictions published by the organisers, rather than planning your Sunday solely around a tourist description of the course.

A favourable profile without the climb to the castle

The course described for the race avoids the climb to Prague Castle, although the castle forms part of the scenery runners pass. This is an important distinction in a city with hilly areas: having the castle in view does not mean the route requires you to climb up to it.

A profile with little elevation change can make it easier to maintain a steady pace, but it does not eliminate the challenges of a marathon. The distance requires careful pacing from the start, and changes in direction or surface can affect how you feel even when there are no major gradients.

The available information does not provide a detailed, confirmed elevation profile for 2027. For that reason, it is best to consult the final profile and map when they are available, for that reason, it is best to consult the final profile and map when they are available..

How to prepare for changes in surface

Cobbled sections require a different kind of attention from even tarmac. The spacing and shape of the stones can affect your footing, so it helps to look a few metres ahead and adapt your foot strike to the ground, without forcing a technique you have not practised before.

In general training, combining familiar training surfaces helps you understand how you respond to each. The aim is not to seek out cobbles at all costs or abruptly change your routine, but to arrive with enough experience that a change of surface does not catch you out during the race. The comfort and stability of a pair of shoes you have worn before are reasonable criteria when choosing your kit.

The surface can also influence how you move through a crowded area. Leaving space between yourself and other participants and avoiding sudden changes of direction allows you to pay attention to both the ground and the runners around you, particularly when the group is still closely packed.

Aid stations and time limit

The available information for 2027 places food and drink stations approximately every 2.5 or 3 kilometres, as well as a service at the finish. The exact location and contents of each station should be checked in the official information, as neither the available products nor the final aid station map are specified.

A seven-hour time limit for completing the marathon is also stated. This is relevant for anyone expecting to be on the course for a long time, but it does not in itself clarify whether there are intermediate checkpoints. Check the regulations for the edition to find out how the limit is applied and whether there are additional cut-off times.

For any marathon, nutrition and hydration are better prepared during training than through improvised decisions on race day. Everyone tolerates food and drink differently; if you have health-related concerns or particular nutritional needs, advice should come from a qualified healthcare professional.

What the entry includes

Services associated with participation include a single-use timing chip, access to changing rooms, toilets and showers, and a bag drop for your start-line bag. Food, drink and a medal are also mentioned. The location of each service and its conditions of use will need to be confirmed with the organisers.

The bag drop can make the morning easier to manage when you start in your race kit and need another layer afterwards. Before travelling, it is useful to check what type of bag is accepted, the opening times and the collection procedure, if the organisers publish those instructions for 2027.

The race number and chip serve different purposes: the former identifies the participant and the latter records their time. It is worth checking the instructions on where to attach them that come with the materials provided, as well as your entry details, to avoid identification or timing problems.

Running the full distance or sharing it

As well as the individual marathon, the programme includes options for sharing the course. The available information describes a two-person option and a four-person relay, although it does not provide an unambiguous breakdown of the legs or confirmed handover points for 2027. Those details should be checked in the regulations before choosing a team.

Sharing a distance does not mean that each member faces the same kind of effort. The length of the leg, the handover point and the wait can all affect preparation and logistics. So, beyond the name of the option, what matters is checking its specific rules and knowing what each team member needs to do.

It is also worth distinguishing the pairs marathon from other relay formats that may appear on the entry form. The conditions of participation and the way to register a team should be checked directly with the organisers; the available descriptions do not allow these details to be stated with certainty.

Family and children’s races

Saturday’s programme includes a 1.6-kilometre family race, scheduled to start at 15:00. The children’s races are announced for 16:00, with distances of 100, 150 and 200 metres. The information provided does not specify which ages correspond to each of those distances.

For families also taking part in the marathon, these are separate activities, with schedules and entry requirements that should be checked individually. Before planning the afternoon, it is useful to confirm the meeting point and the access conditions for adults and children, as these details are not set out in the available information.

Getting around Prague over the weekend

Public transport is an option for travelling between race-related locations. The available information highlights the metro as a practical choice and mentions P+R park-and-ride facilities for those arriving by car, although it does not identify a specific stop for the start or a recommended route.

When planning a trip from Spain, it is worth separating the journeys needed to collect your race documents from those on race day. Checking routes and possible changes in advance avoids relying on a single form of transport, particularly if you are travelling with supporters or need to reach a relay handover point.

Another practical detail is the currency: the Czech koruna is used in Czechia. Before travelling, you can check each financial provider’s conditions for payments and cash withdrawals. For everyday expenses, having a familiar payment method available is more useful than making rushed currency decisions on arrival.

A race with history and present-day demands

The marathon was established with the backing of Czech Olympic champion Emil Zátopek and holds the World Athletics Elite Label distinction. Its history thus brings together historical and sporting significance that goes beyond the visual appeal of central Prague.

For the recreational runner, that history sits alongside very practical decisions: choosing a race option, understanding the services available and preparing for a long distance without mistaking a favourable profile for an easy race. The final map and regulations will be the references for confirming those details, while the groundwork remains the same: arrive prepared and pace your effort wisely.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Prague Marathon?

Sunday 2 May 2027, at 8:00.

Where do I collect my bib?

At the Výstaviště expo, on Friday 30 April and Saturday 1 May, 10:00 to 20:00.

Are there places left?

For the marathon, entries are open. The April half marathon is sold out.

Dates, fees and conditions may change: the official RunCzech website is always the reference.