30. 5. 2021

ALL RUNNERS ARE BEAUTIFUL MEDIA GUIDE The capital city of Prague fully supports the development of sports, and events such as the Battle of the Teams is one of the examples. During a persistent coronavirus pandemic, it is particularly important to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. Sport and a healthy lifestyle gives everyone peace of mind, so I feel very pleased every time I spot runners running in our streets, parks, or forests. It is also very beautiful to see runners of all ages, who are so passionate that even bad weather does not discourage them. I believe that the numbers of new runners will be enlarging and at the same time I wish all participating runners the best possible running performances. Vít Šimral Councilor for Education, Sports, Science and Business Support Hello, everyone. From the moment the pandemic shut everything down, runners—and race organizers—have been looking forward to the day when our beloved sport would be back. And the longer it took, the more we wanted it. The question for us at RunCzech was, do we want to restart our lives with our usual slate of races? Or do we want to celebrate breaking the chains of Covid with something big, bold and new? That’s how we come up with the concept of Battle of the Teams, an entirely new twist on an ancient sport. We found a way of making this great event even more dramatic, more watchable and (we hope) more motivating when it comes to inspiring more people to run. The marathon as a team sport! A sport where the last finisher is just as important as the first. But as much as we hope this inspires and excites runners, we hope it will also inspire other race organizers. Not to replicate our event, but to invent their own. Let’s all use the pent-up frustration we experienced during the lockdown to launch a new era in the history of the marathon. We are on the verge of breaking free of Covid. Let’s now use Covid to break free of conventional thinking. Carlo Capalbo Head of the RunCzech Organizing Committee the BATTLE OF THE TEAMS – A NEW TWIST ON AN ANCIENT SPORT The marathon has long been thought of as a contest between individuals. But at RunCzech, we asked ourselves, „what if we could present it as well as a team sport?” Suddenly the drama doesn’t end when the first runner crosses the finish line. In fact, it’s just getting started.

WHAT IS the BATTLE OF THE TEAMS? Take 32 of the best marathoners in the world, from Africa, Asia, Europe (including the ) and elsewhere. Group them into four teams each made up of four women and four men, and each backed by corporate partners. Runners are „drafted” into teams based on their personal bests over the past 48 months, so that their collective abilities would be evenly—almost perfectly—matched. This gives each team an excellent chance to win gold.

HOW IT WORKS Eight of the runners form the team, with two running backup in case some members fail to finish (DNF). Each team has a runner from the Czech Republic. Points are awarded based on the Scoring System. And runners who achieve a personal best earn a 10% points bonus. In the end, points are tallied, similar to Formula 1 racing, and the team with the highest number of points wins. Prize money is shared equally among all team members. How the point system works? 32 ATHLETES 4 TEAMS 13 4 MEN + 4 WOMEN LAPS

42.195 km

Final time Personal Best = TOTAL TEAM SCORE 2:08:44 = 1,184 6 results per team points by +10% tallied and the team scoring system BONUS POINTS with the most points WINS team captain: kateřina neumannová

“I am convinced that every runner is the winner, teambecause they run for the charity.”

Kateřina is a former cross country skier, winning six Olympic medals for the Czech Republic, and adding two gold medals to her repertoire from the World Championships. marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:14:35 2:23:52 2:06:00 team captain: FROM NEXT kateřina , see you LEVEL neumannová with love in tokyo ATHLETE

Jiří homoláč Reia iwade Thomas kiplagat Jiří has been working on his marathon craft, Reia started to run competitively in Thomas seems poised for a breakthrough among other high-altitude locations, in Iten, her native Japan, in junior high school, after 2017 and 2019 victories in Seoul and Kenya, immersed in one of the strongest progressing to the Japanese corporate a 3rd place finish in Abu Dhabi in 2018. He running cultures in the world. With a 63:23 athletics system and turning full-time pro. is a family man, father of two. Thomas is PB, Jirka is due for a mara- She debuted over the marathon distance based in Kaptagat, Kenya and is ready for thon breakthrough and we are with him all at only 19 years of age, with 2:27:21 in his Prague debut. the way to Tokyo and beyond! Yokohama in 2014. Currently, Reia is an independent pro-athlete and she remains as 1234 points 1081 points committed as ever to her craft. 1194 points marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:21:32 2:05:13 2:18:34 going gasping TOUGH. places a chance SWEET.

bedatu hirpa nobert kigen ruti aga Bedatu is another globe trotter, with Top 5 Nobert hails from the family of athletes, he Ruti is a very strong and independent finishes in Dubai, Tokyo, Seville, Frankfurt, is the nephew of the late Elijah Korir, former woman, transforming into a warrior during Athens, Madrid… Full passport of visa World U20 Cross Country Champion; and his competitions, while being more approach- stamps, full cabinet of trophies and medals. mother and grandmother were both national able and personable outside of pre-race and Her 2019 seemed a bit below-par, but she level athletes; with Nobert’s spouse also post-race pressure environments. bounced back in Dubai 2020 and we are being an athlete (Jane Moraa, expecting fireworks in Prague on 30 May. 2:30-marathoner). 1248 points 1218 points 1249 points SUBSTITUTED mare dibaba SUBSTITUTED filex kiprotich marathon PB marathon PB 2:08:32 2:28:49 TOUGH. loves the NEXT SWEET. challenge generation

“we support teenagers and young adults with oncological diseases throughout the Czech Republic. Our mission is to abdi ibrahim aberu mulisa help young cancer fighters gain optimism during It seems that Abdi loves the challenge – Different to many of her peers, Aberu 2nd in Rome, Istanbul and the winner in discovered athletics late, in terms of treatment, strength during Hefei in his marathon career thus far. Based professional approach to sport, at the age their convalescence and on these performances we could expect him of 18, following her aunt’s footsteps who independence and fulfillment to do well in the Battle of the Teams. was a national level athlete. in their new life journey. 1188 points 1144 points SUBSTITUTED rebeca chesire support> pinkbubble.cz team captain: zuzana hejnová

“I believe that my team will run with everything teamthey got… and win!”

Zuzana took home the Olympic bronze medal in London 2012 for 400m hurdles event and won the gold medal in 2013, as well as in 2015, in the same event. marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:15:35 2:27:26 2:06:21 team captain: MR. runczech’s stepping zuzana fantastic winner! stones hejnová

Vít Pavlišta Lilia Fisikovici Yitayal Atnafu Son of a biathlete (mother) and a competitive Lilia is a well-known runner of the RunCzech Yitayal is a fan of football, he is a Manches- skier (father), Vít graduated from Jilemnické Running League, with victories in Karlovy ter United supporter and he built his career sportovní gymnasium (high school), deve- Vary, Ceske Budejovice and Olomouc and in Houston, Texas with four 2nd place loping into a disciplined athlete. He is now a podium finish in Usti nad Labem. With finishes in 2016 – 2019 period. He is a de- multiple National marathon, half marathon the Olympic standard secured, what is pendable, consistent performer and Battle and 10,000 meters champion and a full- left for Lilia is to enjoy the race, have fun of the Teams could be his stepping stone to -time employee of Pivovar Svijany, where he and perform well for herself and Team the next level. works as warehouse records specialist. Volkswagen. 1228 points 1064 points 1158 points marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:22:06 2:04:32 2:20:39 just tokyo. getting chicago. chasing started prague. glory

Diana Kipyokei Dickson Chumba Purity Rionoripo Diana started her marathon career in 2019 in Dickson won the prestigious Tokyo Purity is a super-talent – From World Ljubljana, and has completed two Marathon in 2018 and finished on Under-18 title in 2009; to World Cross marathons so far. Third in debut, then victory podiums in Tokyo and Chicago on multiple Country Under-20 silver in 2010, to 2:20 in Istanbul. Not a bad start. She is a winner of occasions. Sunday, May 30 will see his marathon performance in Valencia in the Usti nad Labem half marathon and podium Prague debut, in the extraordinary career 2019. She was the winner in Paris, second finisher in Birell 2018. Just that is spanning over 11 years, which is in Prague, third in Nagoya and fourth getting started. virtually unheard of at the absolute top-level in Chicago in the last couple of years. of marathon sport. Consistent and persistent, chasing glory. 1212 points 1261 points 1227 points marathon PB marathon PB 2:08:48 2:24:42 loading, Patience chasing next level... & perse glory -verance

Czech Union for Nature Conservation: To help passing the nature to our descendants in the best possible state. It is the main Mengistu Zelalem worknesh mola goal and key task of Czech Union for Nature Conserva- Mengistu is a new-comer when it comes Worknesh started to run a bit after being in- to a marathon and Battle of the Teams will spired by a group of elder villagers who ran tion. Every animal and plant be a stepping stone for him and he is ready together, and she got more serious about species has its own place and for it – 2nd in Gunsan, 3rd in Castellon and exploring her talent after first successes in role on planet Earth. Dublin. After almost seven years on the local races and especially in Addis Ababa. international scene, it seems his time is coming. 1185 points 1183 points SUBSTITUTED ruth chebitok support> csop.cz the voice of the battle of the teams

“The Battle of the Teams initiative will be, I believe, the start of something very big in the already massively popular world of road racing. Distance running and marathon racing in particular, is fundamentally about the individual, but if the efforts of a team of individuals can be tied together, then that multiplies the interest and value for spectators, TV viewers, sponsors and media. RunCzech have come up with a formula that can be changed to local conditions and circumstances, but which more than ever during this period of the pandemic, is a great way to create focus right from the Starter’s gun, on the efforts and progress of dozens of pros, not just on the front pack. Our TV graphics have been designed to give as much information as possible, but in a clear and accessible format which, when combined with explanatory commentary, will bring the TV viewers right into the race, right into the actual tussle for prize money and the winning team title. Uniquely, this can be decided by the last placed runner on each team, not just the leading athletes.” Tim Hutchings

EXAMPLE: Dynamic scoring system in TV the voice of the battle of the teams

The Battle of the Teams is a brand new project, which requires a special focus on recording and displaying runners’ split times. Therefore, the TV graphics are absolutely essential for achieving a quality spectating experience. The advanced TV graphics will support the competitive factor of the Battle of the Teams. Every split time will be automatically converted into points, which are based on the World Athletics charts. In addition, each athlete can receive an extra bonus if a personal best is achieved.Thanks to the bonus, even a slower competitor on the track can bring the largest portion of points to an individual team. This factor requires permanent counting of each split time and out of these times, the projected time is being constantly estimated. This will bring extra tension to the race itself because the runner´s live performance will be frequently evaluated and then again recalculated for the projected final result. It’s something new. The new TV graphics are very welcomed and a useful tool for a 2-hour length broadcast. new technological features which have not been used in the TV world of athletics, will also be implemented. This technology should bring us new perceptions and also interesting details, which are usually not visible in normal broadcasting.

Michal Dusík team captain: petra kvitová

“I am really looking forward to supporting my team and teamtheir unbelievable results.”

Petra won two Wimbledon titles, the Fed Cup 6 times as part of the National team, in addition to swooping the 2016 Olympic bronze medal. marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:26:31 2:15:25 2:06:18 team captain: our chasing ready for petra olympian a personal the break- kvitová best through!

Eva Vrabcová Nývltová Tibor Sahajda Lencho Anbesa Recent mother, wife, dog owner, dreamer. Tibor is multiple Slovak National Champion Lencho started running as a youngster after Olympian – Winter Games, world class in over 5000 and 10,000 meters, with three a long period of illness, on medical advice, cross-country skiing, working hard to make years of marathoning behind him and a and realised that he is talented, and, indeed, Czech Team (marathon) for Tokyo 2020. progress from 2:17 to 2:15 level, with him he is – Top 5 finishes since 2018 in Hefei Bronze medallist at 2018 European Champi- continuing to search for a breakthrough and and Dubai and a victory in Venice. Lencho is onships – marathon, Top 8 in New York City for a new personal best. ready for the breakthrough… Marathon. National Half marathon record holder. RunCzech Racing athlete. Eva, WOW! 1067 points 1229 points 1167 points marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:22:45 2:03:51 2:19:10 next stop: fastest in prague’s victory! the field! winner!

Tigist Abayechew Kinde Atanaw Valary Aiyabei What a squad of athletes we will welcome Fastest in the field, newcomer to marathon Our 2017 winner and one of the fastest to Prague! Next one is… Tigist from , distance (2019), with a stunning victory ladies in the field. She is also a winner who is seeking her first big marathon victory in Valencia, in 2:03:51. This Arsenal elsewhere, in Frankfurt, Beijing, Barcelona after Top 5 finishes in Dubai, Istanbul and Football Club fan and future taxi business and Valencia! Fan of Chelsea Football Club Taiyuan. She is also a tennis fan… owner will be the man to watch on 30 May and Lakers, this former sustenance-farmer Wink-wink Petra Kvitová. in Prague, Czech Republic, home of the is continuing to impress and grow. Battle of the Teams. 1205 points 1242 points 1274 points marathon PB marathon PB 2:09:39 2:23:40 prague’s next knows how winner! generation to win

Environmental Partnership: the largest Czech environmental foundation charity - We help reduce the impacts of climate change, Abel Kipchumba Betty Lempus support tree planting and educate children and adults Abel is Iten, Kenya based RunCzech Racing Winning is not easy. And Betty knows exact- athlete and is one of the young leaders ly how to do that, including marathon victo- in the Open Gardens. Together of the team. He completed one marathon ries in Enschede and Hengshui. She spent we have worked for the only so far, in Berlin 2019, and with 59:29 recent months training consistently well and environment since 1991. half marathon ability, we could be seeing a she will be testing her limits in Prague. strong marathoner in the making. 30 years for people 1196 points and nature! 1168 points support> nadacepartnerstvi.cz team captain: jiří ježek

“I am really thankful to RunCzech for this opportunity for my team teamto compete, because each break in the sports life is a long one.” Jiří is a six-time Paralympic winner and a six-time World champion Paralympic cyclist, he also finished the 2011 Prague Half Marathon in 1 hour 50 minutes. marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:29:39 2:12:57 2:06:02 team captain: next chasing podium jiří genera an olympic maker ježek -tion dream

Moira Stewartová Wily Canchanya Samuel Wanjiku Multiple National Champion over 5000 Born and raised at 3,900m altitude in Samuel showed early talent, around the and 10,000 meters distances. Missed on Peruvian mountain-ranges, Wily is 7th of age of 10, and after completion of primary 3 April this year, in Belp, Switzerland, 2020 eight siblings, from a family of athletes education he was sponsored to join Olympic Games marathon standard by 9 and hardworking people of the soil. From Japanese secondary school, with Samuel seconds. Our marathon future, running for the humble beginnings of a life without receiving education in Japan and running the Olympic standard and for her dream of electricity, running water and other basics for Aishi Steel company for seven years. representing Czech Republic in Tokyo. (for most of us) to national 1500m, 5000m Lots of experience, lots of athletic success and marathon titles and a chance to make and a long and rewarding career. 1136 points Olympic team for Tokyo 2020. 1234 points 1109 points marathon PB marathon PB marathon PB 2:23:19 2:05:13 2:20:11 best is stepping all smiles yet to stones all power come

birke beyene Benson Kipruto Guteni Shone Agness knows how to run a marathon. Benson set his half marathon personal best Guteni started her marathon career in 2013 Period. Podiums in Paris, Seoul, Istanbul, in Prague’s Letna Park in September 2020 with 2:42:25, developing over seven years to Hangzhou, Gold Coast… Pretty much during the Prague Restart event organized 2:20 marathoner she is today. With Top 20 everywhere on the map. Including by RunCzech. He is based in Kapsabet, in World rankings for the marathon distance Ceske Budejovice, of course. With the Kenya. With 2:05:13 PB from 2019 and and with victories in Seville, Ottawa and extraordinary long career of well over recent half marathon personal best, he podiums in Lanzhou and Dubai, the best is a decade, Agness is the one to watch for. is potentially one of the favourites and yet to come for Guteni. someone to watch for. 1199 points points 1231 points substituteD Agness Barsosio 1249 marathon PB marathon PB 2:07:34 2:24:54 best is 2:07 debut. just yet to next stop getting

come 2:06 started Journey to a Dream organizes sports and adventure events, where teams of healthy and disabled people form together. Everyone can get involved without any differences. The organization organizes, for example, the longest cycling Kenneth Keter Meseret Belete event in the Czech Republic or Young Kenneth is one of the first RunCzech Meseret is a young, developing marathoner, a series of quadriathlons in Racing athletes and with 2:07 marathon with two Houston Marathons behind her, debut in Frankfurt 2018, and after some- both with Top 5 finishes. She holds World winter and summer disciplines. what sub-par 2019, he is due for a rebound. Under-20 Best time for the half marathon They have long supported Prague is his home away from home and we distance, so talent is there. Are we going to disabled children or the expect him to do well on the home turf. witness a breakthrough? Time will tell. elderly in sports and 1205 points 1183 points exercise. support> cestazasnem.cz finish start the course Athletes will start at Charles Bridge and run an opening lap of 3,45km around Rudolfinum, Prague Castle, and arrive at Old Town Square from where they will run 13 following laps of 2,98km each. Finish Gate will be at Old Town Square.

the monuments

PRAGUE CASTLE – An ancient symbol of the Czech State, the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic. One of the many Czech UNESCO monuments with a tradition of more than 1,000 years.

CHARLES BRIDGE – The oldest preserved Prague bridge. Construction began in 1357, 9.7. at 5:31am. Obviously forming a magical connection of odd numbers.

OLD TOWN SQUARE AND THE ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK – The most significant square of historical Prague was founded in the 12th century. There is a beautiful Gothic tower with a bay chapel and a unique astronomical clock – finish known as the Orloj – where, every hour between 9 am and 11 pm, the twelve apostles appear. start PROGRAM OF THE RACE WEEK

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 11:30 - 12:00 Arrival of the professional athletes at Prague Airport Individual interviews with athletes 16:00 - 20:00 and guest speakers Press center/Hospitality room Hilton Prague 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch THURSDAY, MAY 27 14:00 - 14:30 09:00 - 20:00 Official The Battle of the Teams trophy reveal ‘Press center/Hospitality room Hilton Prague 14:30 - 15:00 Reveal of RunCzech Racing singlet FRIDAY, MAY 28 – MEDIA DAY “Run for the Oceans” concept 09:00 - 20:00 15:00 - 15:30 Press center/Hospitality room Hilton Prague Coffee Break 10:30 15:30 - 16:30 Official Presentation of The Battle of the Teams Panel talk with team captains and charities Official Presentation of Czech Marathon Championship 16:30 - 17:00 Handing over start numbers to athletes Official teams photo (captains, charities and partners) 17:00 06:30 Friendly gathering at Hilton Prague Beer Garden Karlin Start of The Battle of The Teams Start of the Czech Marathon Championship SATURDAY, MAY 29 08:35 Rest day for the pro-athletes Hilton Prague Expected first male finisher 09:00 - 20:00 08:50 Press center/Hospitality room Hilton Prague Expected first female finisher 16:00 - 17:00 08:45 - 09:30 Technical meeting Hilton Prague Award ceremonies 09:45 SUNDAY, MAY 30 – RACE DAY Winners available for individual interviews 06:00 - 11:00 Official team photos Press center in guest zone 11:00 - 20:00 06:00 Press center/ Hospitality room Hilton Prague Guest zone opens 06:20 MONDAY, MAY 31 Live broadcasting starts on ČT Sport Departure of athletes and guests COVID-19 PROTOCOL

RunCzech strictly adheres to Government policies for crowd safety, as it relates to Covid19 pandemic and public health matters. For more details, please visit the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic: https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/en/

ALL GUESTS ENTERING ANY OF THE RACE AREA OR HILTON PRAGUE PREMISES HAVE TO WEAR A FACE MASK (FFP2/KN95).

MEDIA DAY – MAY 28 All guests entering the Hilton Prague premises must:

• Prove to be Covid negative • Or present a document that shows you have had Covid in the last 180 days • Or you have received the first dose of vaccine at least 3 weeks earlier • If none of the above is possible antigen testing on spot is provided by RunCzech team RACE DAY – MAY 30 All guests entering any of the race area they need to provide a signed self-reporting form and either:

• Prove to be Covid negative (PCR Test) • Or present a document that shows you have had Covid in the last 180 days • Or you have received the first dose of vaccine at least 3 weeks earlier

PCR TESTING Testing will be provided by RunCzech free of charge in cooperation with our partner Chromozoom. Chromozoom introduces revolutionary sets of reliable PCR tests that are more gentle on the body, as they are not introduced into the nasal cavity, but work on the principle of gargling in the mouth. This makes it far more convenient for athletes than a classic PCR test.

TESTING WILL BE AVAILABLE AT BELOW LOCATIONS AND TIMING Hilton Prague Running Mall Friday 28. 5. 7 am – 8 pm (Palmovka room) Friday 28. 5. 8 am – 8 pm Saturday 29. 5. 7 am – 11 am (Palmovka room) Saturday 29. 5. 8 am – 11 am IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND CONTACTS

FOLLOW RUNCZECH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND DON’T FORGET TO TAG US USE THE OFFICIAL HASHTAG SO THAT WE CAN FIND YOUR PICTURES: #PragueBoT21

HILTON PRAGUE > Pobřežní 1, Prague 8 RUNNING MALL > Františka Křížka 11, Prague 7 HOSPITALITY > Roberto De Blasio | +420 603 211 415 | [email protected] watch us live worldwide PRO–ATHLETES > Davor Savija | +420 732 623 581 | [email protected] PR AND PRESS > Sašo Belovski | +420 777 746 807 | [email protected] Michaela Simecek | +420 737 386 274 | [email protected] www.battleoftheteams.com/streaming.html

WATCH THE RACE LIVE ON ČT SPORT – SUNDAY, ČT SPORT, 6:20 AM

WATCH THE RACE LIVE WITH ENGLISH COMMENTARY ON RUNCZECH YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WWW.RUNCZECH.COM WWW.BATTLEOFTHETEAMS.COM – GET THE FLASH NEWS ONLINE ALL RUNNERS ARE BEAUTIFUL

For us, running is not only a great sport, it is a unifying event. It transcends politics and borders and religions. It’s accessible to anyone. And it brings glory to everyone who does it. Yes, glory.

When we say All Runners Are Beautiful, we celebrate the office worker who just wants to be healthier. We celebrate the senior citizen who has something to prove to himself. We celebrate the record-breakers and the wheel chair athletes. We celebrate everyone willing to pull on a pair of running shoes and strive to make himself or herself a little healthier. A little faster. A little better.

We celebrate running because, despite our many differences, this is something we all have in common. And that, as any diplomat will tell you, is where peace starts. WWW.BATTLEOFTHETEAMS.COM

ALL RUNNERS ARE BEAUTIFUL