The EuroHeroes 2024 series is set to launch this Saturday (18) with the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon.
EuroHeroes is a RunCzech initiative created for with aims to helps European athletes be more competitive on the world stage, to celebrate the greatness that exists among all runners and to generate a fanbase for local runners with the hope of inspiring a new generation.
RunCzech have designated four half marathons (Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice, Olomouc and Ústí nad Labem) as EuroHeroes events, featuring only European athletes.
Among the returning stars for the series are Lilia Fisikovici from Moldova, who holds European event records in České Budějovice and Ústí nad Labem, and Sebastian Hendel, last year's overall winner and European event record holder in Ústí nad Labem.
Yassine Rachik, the European record holder in Karlovy Vary, is making a comeback after surgery to compete in České Budějovice and Olomouc. Additionally, Tereza Hrochová aims to defend her title from last year in a more competitive field.
Pfeiffer leads entry
This weekend’s Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon will see Hendrik Pfeiffer, a German running legend and 7th place finisher in the London Marathon, heading the men’s field. He boasts a personal best of 2:07:14 from the Houston Marathon in January.
Joining Pfeiffer is the fastest half marathoner in the race, Chakib Lachgar from Spain with a PB of 1:01:45 and also the 2023 World 50K Champion.
The women’s race includes Fisikovici and Nóra Szabó, the Hungarian national marathon record holder with a time of 2:28:25 set in Seville last year. Tereza Hrochová, last year's overall EuroHeroes winner and Paris Olympic marathon qualifier, will lead home hopes.