2009 marks the anniversary edition of the Prague International Marathon Running series

The flagship event of the PIM Running series – Volkswagen Prague Marathon – is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, PIM has prepared a number of attractive events focusing on charity, environment and culture.

Hervis Prague Half Marathon is aiming for gold!

The highest objective for the 15th year of the Prague International Marathon (PIM) is to get the IAAF Gold Road Race Label for the Hervis Prague Half Marathon. PIM is currently the holder of IAAF Silver Road Race Labels for each of its three main events in the 2009 Running Series. It thus becomes the only organization in the world with so many such recognitions. The Gold Label would move the Hervis Prague Half Marathon up among the world's elite athletic events and this is precisely where this PIM event deserves to be. We are especially grateful to you for standing by our side at this time.

The IAAF awards three levels of certification for athletic events: standard, silver and gold. Getting the gold label requires meeting the toughest criteria.

The Road Race Label is something like the Champions League. At stake is the race’s reputation, the number of runners participating and the future growth in value of the Hervis Prague Half Marathon.

Blind Kenyan runner, Francis Karanja, to run Prague Half Marathon

Francis Thuo Karanja, a blind world-class athlete from Kenya, who won silver a medal in 5000m in Beijing Paralympics Games, is taking part in this year's Hervis Prague Half Marathon. He will be on the starting line of the Prague Half Marathon on Saturday, 28 March, to support the activities of the non-profit organization SVĚTLO PRO SVĚT (Light for the World) and further activities of the extensive charity programs of PIM.

"I would like to inspire blind people around the world through my sports achievements," said Francis Karanja, guided in the runs by his brother James. Together they ran in the Beijing Paralympics Games, achieving the silver medal and 5th place in the 10,000m race.

Francis Thuo Karanja comes from Nairobi where he grew up in a very poor 13-member family. Shortly before turning 8, he got sick with malaria and became blind. This event led to his running connected by a string to his brother. He ran 10-15km every day through the bumpy streets of Nairobi and through prairie grass, and thanks to his strong motivation, he worked his way up among the world's elite runners.

"We are very proud that Francis, a long-time supporter of our organization, has accepted the invitation to take part in the Prague Half Marathon," said Dana Plavcová, a director of the  SVĚTLO PRO SVĚT non-profit organization. "Everyone who decides to support our activities by taking part in the race can run by his side." SVĚTLO PRO SVĚT is a non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and treatment of blind people in developing countries and provides systematic support to people with eye diseases. SVĚTLO PRO SVĚT is part of the European non-profit organization network known as Light for the World.

The 2009 PIM Running series

28 March    Hervis Prague Half Marathon
        Hervis Corporate Half Marathon (relay / team)

1 – 29 April    Garnier Junior Marathon – semifinals

9 – 10 May    Volkswagen Marathon Weekend
        Marathon Sport Expo (7 – 9 May)
        6.5 km In-line Party
        Volkswagen Prague Marathon
        Volkswagen Corporate Marathon (relay / team)
        Garnier Junior Marathon Final
        2 km Allianz Eco Walk
        4.2 km Volkswagen Family Minimarathon

12 September    Tesco Prague Grand Prix
        10 km Metro Men's Race
        5 km adidas Women's Race
        3.8 km Tesco Running for Health
        Embassy Race
        Hilton Barman Race