Unrivaled Running Mall opens in Prague

The corner house between Milady Horákové and Františka Křížka Streets in Letna, Prague 7 has been transformed into a Running Mall and unparalleled running crossroads in the heart of Europe.

Race Director of the ING New York City Marathon, Mary Wittenberg who is visiting Prague for the first time to mark the occasion, offered the following praise: "The idea of creating a place for people to meet which all runners can draw inspiration from, is absolutely great. We had been thinking about doing the same, however you've beaten us to it" 

The ground floor will be home to the main reception which also boasts a cafe and water bar, a specialized adidas running store, a conference room and running club. On top of this, runners will be able to take advantage of the facilities including dressing rooms and showers, and use the venue as a kind of launch pad before heading out for a run in nearby Stromovka or Letna Park – two of the city's leading running spots. The top floor is to be allocated as the main base for Prague International Marathon team, which heads the RunCzech Running League. This year the league anticipates seeing up to eighty thousand participants take part in its races.

"Until now we've only ever had chance to meet up with runners for a few days during the year, always around race time.  But now we'll be able to have them here every day. It will have a positive impact on everyone and I'm sure we'll be able to draw inspiration from one another. We're one step closer to transforming the Czech Republic into one of the best running locations in Europe," Chair of the Organizing Committee and author of the concept, Carlo Capalbo revealed.

On the eve of the 19^th Volkswagen Prague Marathon, a celebratory opening was held at the new venue last night with a number of prominent personalities from the running world in attendance. Aside from the Race Director of the ING New York City Marathon, guests also included David Bedford, the former Race Director of the Virgin London Marathon and Sean Wallace-Jones from the IAAF, who's in charge of awarding race Quality Labels. 

Also present at the event was the president of The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, Paco Borao along with Chair of the Czech Athletics Association, Libor Varhaník.

Amongst those assigned the task of cutting the ribbon, was Olympic decathlon winner, Roman Šebrle who has just returned from a six-month stint in Honolulu. "I have been observing Carlo Capalbo's work for a long time now, his enthusiasm and spirit which has gotten the whole of the Czech Republic running.  He is a superstar, and the more people we have like this, the better.  It will help allow sport to play an even greater role in our lives," he said.

Tomáš Nohejl