Karlovy Vary, city of the “ Great Spas of Europe ”. But no, no—we’re going to stop you right there ⛔️, this isn’t a spa appointment we’re offering you 😂. We’re calling on you to take part in a superb race in Czechia! 🏃 The Mattoni Running Festival Karlovy Vary sets the tone and invites you to run in one of the most picturesque spa towns in Europe 🇪🇺. RunCzech has planned everything for an organization worthy of the name 🤌. With a family race, a kids race, a 10 km, and a half marathon in relay or solo, you’ll be combining running and discovery! 💡Scheduled in May, it’ll be the start of the beautiful days, so perfect to make the most of it. 💥 3,800 runners are expected—whether you’re a hobby runner, a beginner, or a seasoned athlete, there’ll be a spot for you 🫵. You saw it in the name: it’s a real running festival, and the supporters’ atmosphere will be there 🎉. If you like being cheered on and pushed during your race, you’re in the right place 🤪.
In addition to being certified by World Athletics 🎖️, the streets of Karlovy Vary promise you sections you’ll never forget 💭. Surrounded by hotels, colonnades and mineral springs (listed as UNESCO World Heritage, otherwise it’s no fun), you’ll have stars in your eyes 🤩. The 10 km will take you through the city streets, along the Teplá River 💦. The half marathon will also have you running along the Ohře River, as well as a well-designed loop through the narrow streets 🌇. And because relay is often a lot of fun, they’re offering you the chance to do the 21 km with 3 of your colleagues. It’s split into 4 distinct parts: 3 segments of 5 km and 1 of 6.095 km ✍️. All that’s left is a game of rock-paper-scissors to find out who gets the longest distance… ✂️ Arghhh, we can already hear those kids being jealous 👧. Don’t worry—there’s plenty to keep them busy too 😉. 100 m, 150 m or 200 m, with a T-shirt, a start number, and even a chocolate medal! 🍫 So what will they choose? 🤔 And if the whole family wants to come, of course we get it! 😁 What could be better than 1.609 km of walking or running with the WHOLE family 🫂. Grandparents, parents, children—we really did say: everyone is invited 📋.
The host city of the race is enough on its own to give you an exceptional moment ⭐️. Yes, the race will be your main goal 🎯, but how about a calmer discovery of the city? 🙃 Come on, we’ve got what it takes to convince you ☺️. This world-renowned city has a striking elegance 👑. Hotels, yes—but not like the others: they’re luxurious 💎, comfortable, and packed with spa services 💧. You’re OBLIGED to stop by a thermal bath at least once. It’s the place’s very culture 📍. In the city: colonnades (Mlýnská or Tržní) 🏛️, a theater, spas, a church… In short, a full walk where you won’t get bored! 😍 Pssst, don’t forget to bring back a souvenir from this trip 🧳. Think of Karlovy Vary porcelain, typical of the city 🏺. And if your thing is more gastronomy, try the city’s waffles. Since 1800, they’ve enjoyed well-deserved success 🧇.
A running festival, a city to visit, at a time when everyone is invited—I think we’re only waiting for you 😎.
A half-marathon, nothing less! 🤓
You start your run at the foot of Smetanovy Sady Park: greenery right in the middle of the city! 🌆 Then you'll head toward the south of the city, all while running along the beautiful Teplá River 💦. For 3 km, you'll run alongside it, before making a U-turn and heading back up the river ⬆️. After km 4, admire this beautiful monument facing you: Kaiserbad, a well-known thermal building 🏛️.
At km 5, on your left, you'll pass close to the hot spring: Vridelni kolonada 🔥. A place to visit if you extend your trip! 🧳 After running along the entire river, at km 6, you'll cross it and head to the west of the city ⬅️. On to km 8, with another crossing—this time of the Ohře River 📍. Hop, new place unlocked: the Golf & Racing Club of Karlovy Vary ⛳️. The 11th km will have you cross the river again, to head back up toward the city center 🏙️. If you're sporty, this will definitely be your favorite moment 🤩: after the golf course, at km 13, you'll pass by the KV Arena and the SK Zavod stadium 🏟️. Then, retracing your steps, you'll head back toward the finish line 🏁.
But don't get too excited—before km 16 you'll pass close to the finish, sure, but you still have 5 km to go. Hang in there! ✊ To avoid getting lost for these last kilometers, you'll run alongside Teplá again 🏃♀️, before crossing it and heading back up it to reach the finish line 🎉. Take the opportunity to check out the many hotels along your route, so you can spot your favorite for the rest of your trip 😉.
21.095 km, you're done! It's very likely a great performance you're about to pull off 💪.
A half-marathon, nothing less! 🤓 But no worries, there are 4 of you.
First runner: 5 km planned. You start your run at the foot of Smetanovy Sady Park: greenery right in the middle of the city! 🌆 To continue, you’ll head south of the city while following the beautiful Teplá River 💦. For 3 km, you’ll run alongside it before making a U-turn and heading back up the river ⬆️. After km 4, admire this beautiful monument in front of you: Kaiserbad, a well-known thermal building 🏛️. At km 5, on your left, you’ll pass close to the hot spring: Vridelni Kolonada 🔥. A place to visit if you extend your journey! 🧳
Second runner, ready to set off for 5 km too? You start by following the same river as your teammate until km 6, where you’ll cross it and head to the west of the city ⬅️. Km 8, another crossing—this time over the Ohře River 📍. And above all: a new place unlocked: the golf & Racing club of Karlovy Vary ⛳️.
Time for the third start, for another 5 km! After 1 km of running, you’ll cross the river to head back up toward the city center 🏙️. If you’re sporty, this will definitely be your favorite moment 🤩: after the golf course that will be on your left, turn your head to the right. Toward km 13, you’ll pass by the KV Arena and the SK Zavod stadium! 🏟️ Backtracking, you’ll head again toward the finish line 🏁.
Saving the best for last? Alright, last start—and hats off to you, you’ve got the longest distance in the group. 1 km done and you’ll already spot the finish line at km 16. You’ve only just started, you still have more than 5 km to go, so don’t get too excited, and hang in there! ✊ You’ll continue along Teplá 🏃♀️, before crossing it and heading back up it to reach the finish line 🎉. Take the opportunity to observe the many hotels along your route, to spot your favorite for the rest of your trip 😉.
21.095 km, it’s over! It’s very certainly a great performance you delivered—great teamwork 💪.
You were promised a race with memorable passages 💭. Well, if you want to understand why, come here and we’ll explain it in more detail 😎.
Right from the start, you’re off to a great beginning: you’ll set off at the foot of Smetanovy Sady Park: greenery right in the middle of the city! 🌆 You’ll continue heading toward the south of the city, while following the beautiful Teplá River ⬇️. A little after km 1, you’ll cross a bridge 🌉 to get to the other side. Along the way, you’ll pass very close to Salvator Hotel! 🏨 With 4 stars awarded, just admire it 😍.
Up to km 3, look carefully to the right and left—you’ll pass by an uncountable number of hotels! We told you it was their specialty 🤌. After crossing Teplá again, we set the compass toward the west of the city 🧭. This time, a new river: the Ohře. Then, at km 4, turn around and head toward the city center 🔄. As you continue, at km 6, it should feel familiar—you’re back at your starting point! 📍 Off again to follow the Teplá for several kilometers 📏, in the south of the city. At km 8, you’ll be next to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Karlovy Vary ⛪️. A magnificent monument, protected as a Czech cultural monument! 🤓
Now, head back up along the river to complete your 10 km, ending in the same place you started! 🏁
1.6 km, for the whole family: grandparents, children, parents, cousins,...🤩 Everyone is invited to take part in this format, which can be done walking or running! 🏃♀️ It's up to you 🤓.
100 m, 150 m, or 200 m—the kids are ready to tear it up 🔥. Let them choose their favorite distance and they’ll already have one foot on the starting line 🏁.
Ready, set, go—sprint to the finish! 🙃 What’s more, a chocolate medal is handed out at the end of the race—what a treat 🤓.
The races will start at the foot of Smetanovy Sady Park, at the following times:
10 km: 2:00 pm
21 km solo and relay: 6:00 pm
Family race: 4:00 pm
Kids race:
100 m: 4:45 pm
150 m: 4:50 pm (approximate time)
200 m: 4:55 pm (approximate time)
Yes, for the kids races:
100 m: 2 to 3 years old
150 m: 4 to 5 years old
200 m: 6 to 7 years old
For the half marathon: 18 for the solo race and 15 years old for the relay race
For the 10 km: 15 years old
Here are the bib prices:
For the 10 km:
Bibs 1 to 700: €20
Bibs 701 and up: €24
For the 21 km solo: €52
For the 21 km relay:
Bibs 41 to 120: €140
Bibs 121 and up: €160
For the family race:
Under 12: €2
13 and over: €10
Yes, aid stations are planned.
Along the half-marathon course, there will be 6 aid stations, as well as an additional station after the finish line. From the 5th kilometer, runners will find aid stations about every 2.5 km. Each station will provide Mattoni water. The aid stations will also offer Gatorade isotonic drink, bananas and oranges, salt, and sugar.
Your registration includes:
Race bib with a disposable timing chip
Refreshments along the course
Medical support on the course (including AED)
Finisher medal
Online results and a digital finisher certificate
Additional race-day services include:
Access to bag drop, toilets, and changing rooms
Emergency medical services
Starter pack and official event guide
Pacers for popular finish times
Music festival with live performances along the course
Results delivered via email and WhatsApp
Showers and post-race massage
Live TV broadcast or online streaming
Special offers from partners
Loyalty programs for regular runners
As paid options, you can also get:
Official adidas race T-shirt
Medal engraving with your finish time
Personal race photos and videos
Registration cancellation insurance
Personal accident insurance
Contributions to charitable programs
Training plans and sessions at the Running Mall center
Your entry includes:
Race bib with a disposable timing chip
Refreshments along the course
Medical support on the course (including AED)
Finisher medal
Online results and a digital finisher certificate
Additional race-day services include:
Access to bag drop, toilets and changing rooms
Emergency medical services
Starter pack and the official event guide
Pacers for popular finish times
Music festival with live performances along the route
Results delivered by email and WhatsApp
Post-race showers and massage
Live TV broadcast or online streaming
Special partner offers
Loyalty programs for regular runners
Paid add-ons may also be available:
Official adidas event T-shirt
Medal engraving with your finish time
Personal race photos and videos
Registration cancellation insurance
Personal accident insurance
Contributions to charity programs
Training plans and sessions at the Running Mall center
Yes. The organizers will provide changing facilities and a bag-drop service.
You can check the race rules here

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