The organisers of the oldest marathon in Europe have a very successful first half of the year behind them full of running events and community projects.

They are now concentrating their efforts and attention on Sunday, 2 October, when runners from all over the world will set off on the fast marathon course that has been used for decades. Three months before the start, 5 000 runners have already registered, and many more will certainly be added by the deadline, which is planned for the beginning of September. Hundreds of them signed up for the My First Marathon challenge this year, which is a long-term programme motivating runners to make their marathon debut in Košice.

And along with them there will also be a trio of very experienced runners who have already announced their efforts to join the Diamond Club, i.e. to be among those runners who have reached the finish line in Košice at least 25 times. And so today there are 63 of them.

At the time when the starting lists are definitively finalised, we’ll also learn the names of the biggest favourites who will battle for first place in the race included in the World Athletics calendar with the Elite Label Road Race certificate. Today, it’s possible to confirm that the quality of runner’s field should definitely not be lagging behind that of 2021.

GET READY FOR A MARATHON OF TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

Make the most of your stay in Slovakia and reserve more days off to explore this hidden gem in the heart of Europe.

We will show you what not to miss, especially near Košice, where your marathon adventure begins. Visit the amazing underground scene of the oldest opal mines in the world. Camp under the star-spangled sky with the Milky Way being perfectly visible with the naked eye. Hike through gorges full of jungle-like greenery teeming with life you will not find anywhere else. Discover the region peppered with preserved wooden churches, listed in UNESCO, that are anything but ordinary. Or fulfill your Disney fantasies and tour the fairytale-like castle that belongs among the most visited landmarks in Central Europe… The beauties of Slovakia are rich and varied – our 10 travel bucket list experiences will guide you to extraordinary vacation

Many surveys and statistics confirm that average marathon times for mass runs are gradually slowing down.

An extensive study published by Jens Jakob Andersen states that in 2018 the average marathon performance was 4:29:53. We just add that the average time in Košice in the same year was  4:11:33.

And since the marathon in Košice has available the results of all runners who have reached the finish line since 1924 (since its founding), such an average time of a runner in Košice could be calculated relatively quickly. 
And the result? It has a value of 3:32:40. Let’s recall that until 1980 participation in the marathon in Košice was conditional on meeting the qualification limit. This is why, for example, in 1979, Václav Kameník finished last, in 65th place, in a time of 2:44:02.

Brano Koniar
Race Director
Košice Peace Marathon – Europe’s oldest – since 1924

https://www.kosicemarathon.com/race-info-mmm-2/?lang=en