I suspect the majority of even seasoned marathon runners would think London, Paris or Berlin to be the oldest marathon in Europe, making the answer even more intriguing. In fact Slovakia’s second largest city Kosice holds this accolade; so how did this come about? Ramy James Salameh finds out…
In 2024 the Kosice Peace Marathon will celebrate its 100th anniversary, a milestone that Cassovians are extremely proud of. The marathon is the headline act for a city where sport is part of the very fabric and feeds into a truly diverse range of sporting experiences.
The International Peace Marathon was inaugurated in 1924 and really is the torch bearer for sport in this fascinating city, and has given rise to many more sporting activities, clubs and titles. Kosice was awarded the status of 2013 European City of Sports and went on to host the IIHF World Hockey Championships in 2019, the second time the event has been played out in the city.
Marathon pride
The historic pedigree of this international event holds much allure for both elite and amateur runners, wishing to write their personal chapter into the historical annals of the competition. The race was inaugurated in 1924, courtesy of sports journalist and enthusiast Vojtech Braun Bukovsky. His visit to the 1924 Summer Olympic Games in Paris was the inspiration to recreate a race that captivated him. Quite incredibly, just a couple of months later on 28 October 1924, the “Kosice Peace Marathon” was born and has developed into a major sporting festival on the European marathon calendar.
Spectators have been cheering for their home-grown and international athletes since 1924 and it is where amateur runners rub shoulders with Olympic champions, both of whom come to conquer the legendary course. Today, the marathon regularly attracts well over 10,000 participants annually. It is described as a colourful spectacle of sport, loved by thousands of participants, who appreciate the flat, fast and visually impressive course that tracks many historic landmarks, such as the 14th Century Gothic St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, en route, alongside many other architectural gems.
Kosice was the first in Europe to acquire its own coat of arms from King Louis the Great in 1369, which appeared on the medals of the Kosice Peace Marathon in 2020. All runners will visit “Marathon Square” to view the bronze statue entitled The Marathon Runner below which every winner has their name engraved.
This inner-city course designed for the IAAF World Half-marathon in 1997, with few sharp turns and not much elevation, which makes it the ideal race to achieve a personal best. Marathon participants will circuit most of the historically important landmarks, such as the gothic St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral dating to the 14th Century and many other architectural gems which weave around the old quarter.
The 2021 Kosice Peace Marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday 3 October.
Did you know?
- On 28 October 1924 eight runners lined up to take part in the first race under the ruins of Turna Castle in the direction of Kosice.
- The first winner was Karol Halla who participated another nine times.
- The first women’s race was held in 1980 and continues to go from strength to strength.
- The course records were both set by Kenyans in 2012; Hellen Mugo ran a time of 2:29:59 while Lawrence Kimaiyo won the men’s race in 2:07:01.
- Neither World War II or indeed the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 could stop the marathon taking place, thus its record of incredible continuity has been preserved.
- In 1960 Kosice acquired its own artistic symbol; a 3.5m high bronze statue of a marathon runner, upon a plinth engraved with the names of past winners which stands in ‘Marathon Square’.
- The 1997 IAAF World half-marathon Championships were held in Kosice. Today’s runners do two laps of this course..
Why take part?
- The Kudos of competing in Europe’s oldest marathon, and writing yourself into the history of the race.
- This city marathon starts and finishes in the heart of the old town and the lenticular heritage avenue called ‘Hlavna Ulica’, one of the most attractive circuits in the world.
- There are no prominent uphill sections, and the streets are fully asphalt surfaced.
- Race day is full of energy and enthusiasm, with a true festival atmosphere as Kosice citizens make a point of making it as well supported and colourful as possible.
- Marathon organisers put on the ‘Nuit Blanche’ Festival (White Night) on the Saturday ahead of the race, an event full of musical and light installations, and a true celebration of this UNESCO City of Creative Media Art.
- Families are not forgotten with a mini-marathon taking place ahead of the main event. Covering 4.2km it is perfect for all the family to feel the thrill of race day and see the sights.
- Last but not least Kosice is a trendy metropolis with plenty to offer travellers looking for a quirky, cultural, historic and even hipster city-break.
For more information on the race and for registration see kosicemarathon.com and for tourism information on Kosice visitkosice.org
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