Jakub Wolf - the first winner

April 4, 1877
†June 15, 1946

Jakub Wolf was born in Plzeň. He gained fame primarily through his victory in the Běchovice–Prague road running race. He was introduced to athletics by his older brother Jan, who had attended a Sokol athletics meet in Prague. Enthused by the experience, Jan and his friends began preparing to establish an athletic club in Plzeň. As a result, in November 1894, the “Athletic Club Plzeň” was founded by Jan and a group of like-minded enthusiasts.

Jakub eagerly watched the older boys train, but due to his young age and his brother's overprotectiveness, he was often sidelined. Unfazed, he eventually managed to slip in among the practicing athletes on the meadows near what was then Doudlebská Avenue. They trained by running across grass fields, marking the course with their footprints. This is where Jakub’s sporting career began. Among the newcomers, he quickly stood out and was selected to compete in Plzeň’s first-ever athletic meet in 1895. There, he ran the 5 km race and won convincingly. From that moment on, he was recognized as a full member of AC Plzeň. The change in attitude from the older athletes was something Jakub deeply appreciated and saw as both an honor and a reward.

At the time, clubs trained in difficult conditions — they had no money or proper training grounds. Athletes trained in meadows, along riverbanks, or in the woods — anywhere with suitable terrain. Runners were often considered half-naked lunatics risking their health and were subjected to ridicule, and sometimes even physical attacks. In Plzeň, it wasn’t uncommon for bystanders to hide the athletes’ clothes in trees. In one case, someone took young Wolf’s clothing entirely, and he had to run home across all of Plzeň wearing only his shorts.

In 1897, Wolf began to achieve significant results. After defeating the then Czech 5 km champion Hron, he drew the attention of AC Sparta’s leadership. Sparta’s secretary, Mr. Rudl, traveled to Plzeň to negotiate and offered Wolf favorable conditions. After consultation, Wolf transferred to AC Sparta. Representing Sparta, he set a Czech record in the 10 km with a time of 36:42.2, won the Běchovice race three times, became the Austrian champion in the 5 km, and the Hungarian champion in the 3-mile race.

Reflecting on his first Běchovice start, Wolf said:

“...for us, it was a historic Sunday, May 27, 1897, when about ten young enthusiasts gathered at the start line — surely none of us knew that we were laying the foundation of what would become the most famous race in our sport. Just starting this race became an honor, and victory, an immortal achievement. Today, Běchovice is a bridge that connects generations of athletes — one that winners cross into history. Seeing the popularity and prestige of this race today, I am proud to have been the first to cross the finish line in victory…”

Back then, the road conditions were similar to today’s neglected backroads. If it was muddy, runners faced significant terrain challenges — having to cross the road frequently, search for drier paths, jump over puddles, etc. And all of this in heavy shoes. That’s why his time of 39:03 — and those from the following years — speaks volumes.

During his ten-year athletic career, Jakub Wolf won six championship titles and achieved an additional 26 race victories.

Personal Bests:

• 5,000 m: 17:05

• 10,000 m: 36:42.2

• 1-hour run: 16,240 m