This year, the sporting event for students, staff and the public attracted a record number of participants – the capacity of 300 runners was filled, with 208 taking part in the individual race and the rest in the inaugural relay races. A total of 66 children also competed in their respective categories.
Runners enjoyed an unusual route winding its way among the buildings of the Faculty of Sports Studies, the Faculty of Science, CEITEC and the pavilions of the Faculty of Medicine. Adults completed a 4,800-metre course, whilst children ran shorter circuits depending on their age.
A new feature of this year’s event was a relay race for teams of four, in which at least one member had to be a woman. “We listened to the wishes of many runners and introduced a new element to the race: the relay. The course was also different from last year’s, and although the weather was cold, I am happy to see many familiar faces here,” said Petr Suchý, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and External Relations.
The programme also included a warm-up and accompanying activities organised by students from the Faculty Group of Creative Students (FUKS). Every adult participant received a personalised bib and small gifts from the race’s partners. Proceeds from the entry fees will support the activities of the university club MUNI SPORT.
Jan Cacek, Dean of the Faculty of Sports Studies, also took to the starting line, treating the race as part of his preparation for same-day’s floorball tournament as part of MUNI DAY. “I have no ambitions, I just want to stretch my legs,” said the former athlete before the start, who completed the entire course with his colleagues from the faculty.
Just like last year, the men’s race was won by Daniel Kotyza, a student at the Faculty of Sports Studies, with a time of 15:28. “The MUNI RUN course was different again this year, and interesting. There was more competition among the men this year; I’m returning to racing after an injury, but I wanted to enjoy it. I’m finishing my master’s degree, so this is my last time competing as a student,” said the winner, who would like to represent the university at both the Summer and Winter Universiades.
Jan Fiala from the Faculty of Economics and Administration finished second in a time of 15:53. He praised the demanding technical course despite health complications following the weekend’s Skyrunning World Championships. “It was technical and demanding; I hadn’t expected that. It was very twisty and we were running on rocks too. But I’m satisfied, because I was running with an injury from the World Skyrunning Championships over the weekend. The four stitches on my hand don’t really limit me, but I’ve got two big blisters on my feet. I taped them up, tightened my shoes, and it worked out. I’d love to come back next year too; it’s a lovely race,” he said after crossing the finish line.
Among the women, Pavla Štoudková, a student at the Faculty of Sports Studies, won again with a time of 16:48. “This year we started at the same time as the men and the whole race went much more smoothly. I didn’t have to overtake as many runners as when we started in waves,” said the winner, who is facing her final exams in her bachelor’s programme this year and would like to qualify for the European Championships in the 800 metres.
Sixty-six young runners took part in the children’s categories. Markéta Kodešová won among the youngest girls (under six), and Fabián Kalina among the boys. In the older age groups, the fastest runners were Jasmína Kalinová, Jiří Búřil, Veronika Skřičková, Jáchym Polák and Jiří Sedláček in the boys’ 13 to 15 age group.
Results of the main race: men: 1. KOTYZA Daniel (FSpS) 15:28, 2. FIALA Jan (ESF) 15:53, 3. SKŘIČKA Jan (general public) 16:02; Women and female students: 1. Pavla ŠTOUDKOVÁ (FSpS) 16:48, 2. Michaela NOVOTNÁ (FSpS) 17:28, 3. Hana KIELAROVÁ (FSpS) 17:41; students: 1. KOTYZA Daniel (FSpS) 15:28, 2. FIALA Jan (ESF) 15:53, 3. POLEDNÍK Ondřej (Faculty of Science) 17:09; staff: 1. GRÜN Vojtěch (FSpS) 16:13, 2. JOHANÍK Jakub (FSpS) 17:37, 3. KRAMÁREK Michal (LF) 17:39; female staff: 1. SLUKA Markéta (FF) 20:21, 2. NOVOTNÁ Barbora (RMU) 21:12, 3. JANSOVÁ Iveta (FSS) 21:57.
A total of 66 young runners took part in the children’s categories. Markéta Kodešová won among the youngest girls (under six), whilst Fabián Kalina won among the boys. In the older age groups, the fastest runners were Jasmína Kalinová, Jiří Búřil, Veronika Skřičková, Jáchym Polák and Jiří Sedláček in the boys’ 13 to 15 years category.
Results for the children’s categories: girls under 6: 1. KODEŠOVÁ Markéta 0:22, 2. SEDLÁČKOVÁ Tereza 0:27, 3. FASUROVÁ Klára 0:27; boys under 6: 1. KALINA Fabián 0:23, 2. KUČERA Nikolas 0:25, 3. HUBL Eduard 0:25; girls aged 7–9: 1. KALINOVÁ Jasmína 1:55, 2. KODEŠOVÁ Tereza 2:08, 3. FLORIANOVÁ Šárka 2:19; boys aged 7–9: 1. BÚŘIL Jiří 2:03, 2. KUČERA Andreas 2:06, 3. FASURA Vojtěch 2:15; girls aged 10–12: 1. Veronika SKŘIČKOVÁ 1:44, 2. Anežka SVOBODOVÁ 1:47, 3. Klára PAPOUŠKOVÁ 1:50; boys aged 10–12: 1. POLÁK Jáchym 2:10, 2. HRUBÝ Adam 2:11, 3. FRÝDEK Václav 2:17; boys aged 13–15: 1. SEDLÁČEK Jiří 1:29, 2. MAŠLAŇ Jakub 1:36, 3. SKRIČKA Matěj 1:39.
