The 2025 EuroHeroes series, supported by European Athletics, starts this Saturday (17) at the Mattoni Half Marathon in Karlovy Vary, Czechia—marking the start of an exciting season for European distance running.
Hosted in one of Europe’s most scenic spa towns, the event promises not just breathtaking views but fierce competition and inspirational performances from the continent’s top long-distance talent.
EuroHeroes is a joint initiative by RunCzech and European Athletics designed to spotlight and elevate European runners by creating a competitive platform exclusively for them.
“Our mission with EuroHeroes is to develop and celebrate European running champions—athletes the public can admire and draw inspiration from,” says Carlo Capalbo, founder of the project and Chairman of the RunCzech Organising Committee.
Strong international fields
This year’s series will feature elite fields composed solely of European athletes across four RunCzech races. Titles for top male and female athletes will be awarded based on their best combined results in at least two races.
Ten nationalities will be represented this Saturday, showcasing the breadth of European running prowess. The 2024 titles were claimed by Germany’s Sebastian Hendel and Ukraine’s Maryna Nemchenko—both two-time national champions.
The half marathon course winds through the historic heart of Karlovy Vary—a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its spa culture and architectural elegance. Since 2013, the event has held a prestigious World Athletics Silver Label and is a key stop in the five-part RunCzech Half Marathon series.
This year’s race will see 3,300 runners from 64 countries, with women making up 40% of participants. The event also embraces social impact, with the AuTalk Foundation, supporting children with autism, as its official charity partner.
Live coverage and expert commentary by former Great Britain international James Thie of the Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary will be available on runczech.com on Saturday, 17 May at 18:00 CEST.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics