The starting gun fires at 9am on the first Sunday of October and 13,000 runners surge through the streets of Kosice. The International Peace Marathon has been run here since 1924, making it the oldest marathon in Europe and the third oldest in the world after Boston and Athens. The course weaves through the historic centre of Slovakia second-largest city, past Gothic cathedrals, Art Nouveau buildings, and the elongated main square that is one of the largest in Central Europe. Spectators line the route with cowbells and banners, and the air fills with the sound of encouragement in a dozen languages. The marathon carries the message of peace in its very name, a tradition established after the devastation of the First World War.
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The first Sunday of October is traditionally the day of the oldest marathon in Europe which annually takes place in Košice, Slovakia. Košice Peace Marathon, as it is named, is the second oldest marathon in the world (just after the famous Boston Marathon in USA – 1897). History of this athletic grandpa dates back to 1924, when the first run was held with only eight participants. Košice Peace Marathon managed to survive also the bad times during the World War II and now it is a traditional run of more than 6,000 runners from all over the world.
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It is certainly the biggest sporting celebration of Košice, when the whole city turns into a marathon atmosphere. The preparations of the exciting street circuit starts already few weeks in advance. Those of you who are not so brave to run all the 42 km long track, may try the half marathon in the length of 21 km or mini-marathon in the length of 4.2 km. The marathon includes also companies’ run and 20 km long races for skaters, wheelchair users and handbikers. In addition to the main competition there is a rich cultural program, so the visit is also suitable for non-runners.
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You can register for the run during the whole year and the registration fee is €30-€50 (depends on the time of registration). You can do so online on the official website of Košice Peace Marathon (at least a week in advance) or personally – the last opportunity to register is this Saturday.
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Organizer offers very cheap accommodation in student hostels or you can use the overnight services of one of the many hotels in Košice.
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So if you still don’t have plans for this weekend, then come to the most beautiful city in Slovakia and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
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View The oldest marathon in Europe starts this weekend in Košice, Slovakia in a larger map
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In This Article
History of the Kosice Peace Marathon
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The first Kosice Peace Marathon was organised on 28 October 1924, with just eight runners taking part. The race was the brainchild of a local sports official named Vojtech Bukovsky, who had been inspired by the Olympic marathon and wanted to bring the distance to his home city. The event was cancelled during the Second World War but resumed in 1945 and has been held every year since. The race was a founding member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races in 1982. The current course record of 2 hours 9 minutes 52 seconds was set by Kenyan runner Gilbert Kiptoo in 2015. The marathon course is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, making it a qualifying race for the Boston and Olympics marathons. The event now includes a half marathon, a 4.2-kilometre fun run, and a children race, bringing total participation to over 20,000 runners across all distances. The marathon has hosted Olympic champions and world record holders over its century of existence, including Emil Zatopek, who ran in the 1950s and described Kosice as having one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the world.
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The Kosice City Course
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The marathon course starts and finishes on Hlavna ulica, the main boulevard of Kosice, which stretches 1.2 kilometres from the State Theatre to the Cathedral of St Elizabeth. The route passes the Singing Fountain, which hosts choreographed water and light shows set to classical music during summer evenings. Runners cross the Hornad River twice and pass through the city historic quarters, including the medieval upper Town with its street plan unchanged since the 14th century. The 18th-century State Theatre at the northern end of the square, decorated with frescoes and gilded stucco, serves as the backdrop for the finish line. The course is largely flat, making it popular for runners aiming for personal bests. The aid stations are spaced every 2.5 kilometres and provide water, isotonic drinks, and sponges. Kosice in early October typically sees temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius with low humidity, conditions that favour distance running. The city closes all traffic on the course from 6am until 4pm on race day, and the post-race festival continues into the evening with live music and food stalls in the main square.
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Visiting Kosice Beyond the Marathon
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Kosice is Slovakia second city with a population of approximately 240,000, but its historic core rivals any in Central Europe. The Cathedral of St Elizabeth, consecrated in 1508, is the largest Gothic church in Slovakia with a nave length of 60 metres and an altar carved from red marble. The Urban Tower, a 14th-century Gothic bell tower standing 52 metres tall, leans slightly to one side and now houses a museum of wax figures. The East Slovak Museum displays the Kosice Gold Treasure, a hoard of 2,920 gold coins, three gold medals, and a Renaissance chain discovered in 1935, weighing a total of 10.7 kilograms. The museum also has an open-air section with traditional wooden buildings from the surrounding region. The nearby Slovak Paradise National Park, 40 kilometres northwest, offers hiking trails through gorges and waterfalls, with ladders and chains fixed to the rock faces for climbers. The Kosice region is also known for its wine production, particularly the Tokaj wine region which extends into the southeastern corner of Slovakia. The city airport connects to London, Vienna, and Prague, with Ryanair and Wizz Air operating regular flights.
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Have you ever run a marathon through a historic European city? Which one would be your dream race?
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