The History of the Race

The running race from Běchovice to Prague is the oldest uninterrupted running race in Europe. Its 129-year history has remained unbroken even through two world wars and a global pandemic, making the word "tradition" the most frequently associated term. The Běchovice–Prague race is a true gem of Czech athletics history. Over 129 years, it has generated countless personal stories worth remembering.

Organizers and Founders: Jan Hrazdíra and Josef Hlavsa 

The first edition took place on May 27, 1897. The race was founded and organized by Jan Hrazdíra and Josef Hlavsa, who scheduled the start for 3:00 PM. Eight runners signed up: the Hungarian 1500 m champion Ferenc Hron from Jilemnice, three athletes from A.C. Sparta — Jakub Wolf, Václav Horák, and Karel Křížek — Jan Snopek from AC Žižkov, Antonín Koudelka from ČSK Praha, Josef Rychlík from AC Plzeň, and a local Plzeň runner named Dobrý who signed up on race day. The winner of the very first Běchovice race was Jakub Wolf with a time of 39:03 minutes. The

Winner of the 1897 Race: Jakub Wolf 

According to preserved chronicles, the race was accompanied by many cyclists who encouraged and refreshed the runners along the way. Much to the surprise of the organizers, a large crowd had gathered at the finish line, leaving only a narrow path for the runners. Jakub Wolf finished with a significant lead. Dobrý from Plzeň came in second with 41:37. Karel Křížek arrived in third place but fainted just before the finish. Thus, Antonín Koudelka officially took third with a time of 55:55. The crowd surrounded the winner, and the other competitors were almost forgotten. Only Václav Horák is recorded in fourth place, but without a finishing time. Ferenc Hron dropped out after 3 km. Reports mention seven finishers, suggesting Křížek did eventually cross the line.

The First Start: May 27, 1897

For the first twenty years, the race averaged about ten daring participants per edition. The number of runners first exceeded 100 in the wartime year of 1944. The current participation record was set in 1982 with 3,552 runners finishing. Around the turn of the millennium, the number stabilized between 1,000 and 1,200. A turning point came in 2016 during the 120th edition when 2,764 runners crossed the finish line. In 2025, the race reached full capacity with 3,333 registered runners already several weeks before the race.

The King of Běchovice: Róbert Štefko

Róbert Štefko is unquestionably the "King of Běchovice" with seven wins over an impressive span of 18 years. He also boasts the largest medal collection — in addition to his seven golds, he has two silvers. Even in 2016, approaching 50 (born in 1968), Štefko started the race and clocked an excellent 32:55, earning 13th place. In 2024, he finished 34th overall. However, the Czech course record belongs to someone else: the legendary Vlastimil Zwiefelhofer. In a memorable duel in 1975, he beat Stanislav Hoffman by 0.8 seconds with a time of 28:35.2, holding the course record for 21 years. For the 100th edition in 1996, Kenyan runners were invited, and since then, the overall course record has belonged to Laban Chege with a time of 28:33. Zwiefelhofer and Hoffman remain second and third on the all-time list. The difficulty of the Běchovice race is underscored by the fact that in its 129-year history, only 38 runners have ever finished under 30 minutes — and this in a country that once boasted a strong long-distance running tradition during the Czechoslovak era.

The Queens of Běchovice

There are two strong contenders for the title of "Queen of Běchovice." The race’s icon is undoubtedly Petra Kamínková (formerly Drajzajtlová), who has won an astonishing 11 consecutive titles — a seemingly unbreakable record. The fastest Czech woman in history is Tereza Hrochová, who ran an amazing 33:10 in 2024, placing her second in the all-time standings behind Kenyan Glorius Jepkirui.

Veterans and Legends

Veterans have created a rich tradition of their own at Běchovice. They’ve been a vital part of the race’s culture and have had their own official race category since 1956, the 60th edition. The ultimate veteran and central figure in the race’s history is Přemysl Dolenský. He won the overall race in 1946 and then collected 25 veteran medals between 1961 and 2001. The record for most participations goes to Vladimír Kříž, who ran the race for the 61st time in 2023 — without missing a single year! Among active runners, he is followed closely by Miloš Šimon (60 races) and Jaroslav Hák (59 races).

Běchovice has been with us for 129 years. Its powerful tradition and popularity among runners worldwide make it unique, unmatched in history. The race is poised to continue its legacy and create more stories and records. And you can help break the participation record as early as 2025. Let’s make history together! We look forward to seeing you at the jubilee 130th edition near the milestone marking the 13th kilometer on Českobrodská Street — and at the legendary starting line of this historic race.