I always thought running my first marathon would be fairly easy, after all I’d done the training - how hard can be it be? The answer is very. Signing on the dotted line for the Prague Marathon, we touched down in the city two days before the race full of hope and excitement for the race ahead.
Having been to Prague on holiday in 2009, I had a fair idea of what to expect in terms of route, or so I thought. Friends had warned me that the biggest hill in Prague, which is home to Prague Castle, was part of this, a thought that to be honest filled me with a sense of dread. Thankfully, the race pack was able to calm my jitters by confirming a flat, and might I add, thoroughly scenic course.
Starting in Old Town Square, the race saw over 9,000 runners take part from across the globe. As the clock counts down, it’s easy to be swept up in the electric atmosphere as an array of colourful parachutists drop effortlessly into the starting area to signify the beginning of the women’s and men’s elite race.
At 9:30am, the non-elite race begins. The first six miles see us take in the majority of Old Town before crossing the first of eight bridges to arrive in New Town territory within the first three miles. By the 13 mile, the heat has taken hold and the race becomes more of a struggle. Reaching a high of 28 degrees, we find ourselves back at the at the place we started, which provides the perfect opportunity to check your pacing as home of one of only three official clocks.
Puffing and panting my way through, the second half of the course was most certainly the hardest. As we head out into suburban Prague the crowd drops off, so self-motivation is of utmost importance. With most runners completing the race in under four hours, if like me this is your first marathon, the moments when the race course became sparse were more than a little disconcerting, due to the fact the course, in part, was not clearly marked, so relying on fellow runners for a general sense of direction was a must.
After a lengthy five hours and 59 minutes to be precise, the race is over. With numb legs, I cross the finish line, crowds cheering, before being promptly presented with a shiny bronze medal and goody bag for my efforts.
Taking into account a few niggles along the way, I can honestly say this race delivered everything I was expecting as a first time marathon runner and more. From its beautiful location, to its flat, spacious course, the Prague Marathon presents novice and seasoned runners with a first rate race experience combined with an on foot overview of everything this magical city has to offer.
