About Junior Marathon
Junior marathon is a competition of ten-member teams formed by high school students who run the whole marathon track as a relay.
For its length the marathon track is one of the most difficult running events. Therefore in this case the race routes are made to fit the level of young competitors. The entire distance of 42,195 kilometres is then divided into ten parts and is run as a relay.
The main idea of Junior marathon is to interest young people between the ages of 14 and 18. By this we also try to prevent common problems of young generation such as alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
This competition has its greatest importance in the sense of a sport activity – during eight years of its existence the marathon has become popular especially among students.
All high school students have this unique opportunity to compete at Prague International Marathon, to participate at the final race of one of the top sports events well known among the marathon public not only form Czech Republic but also from all over the world.
Sports aspects
- A very individual sports experience that you can enjoy right here at the relay of a marathon race track.
- There is ample time given therefore the position of teams during the race is not final - the order of runners changes constantly due to their individual effort - each team needs to work perfectly throughout the entire run.
- It is necessary to develop the right team strategy through the efforts of all runners.
- A lot of students nowadays consider a 4 km run an incredible achievement.
The project of Junior Marathon is a unique sports event you will not find anywhere else in Europe. A marketing research in 2001 showed that 56% of participants from Czech Republic knew or at least remembered this competition. This percentage indicates a very good promotion and interest in such sports occasion not only in the capital city.
Organization of the Junior marathon
The entire competition is divided into three stages – teams representing their schools, the semi-finals and the final race.
School representation
Any high school interested in participating in Junior marathon has to organize their own school championship first. Based on the results they put together a team of students who will then represent their school. The selection of team members is only limited by form of their studies (full-time studies) and a number of at least three girls on the team.
Semifinal Races
There will be a total of 13 semifinal races as in the year 2011 - according to the regional division. This method was proved, all runs took place (with one exception) in regional capitals, cities that have already become or are now becoming real centers of their regions. Semifinal race for region Pardubicky will take place in Hradec Kralove. The best team from the region Pardubicky will qualify for the final race, no matter of their position in the Hradec Kralove semifinal race.
History of participation of schools in semifinal races:
- 1997 - 5 schools
- 1998 - 35 schools
- 1999 - 55 schools
- 2000 - 85 schools
- 2001 - 92 schools
- 2002 - 102 schools
- 2003 - 138 schools
- 2004 - 148 schools
- 2005 - 144 schools
- 2006 - 135 schools
- 2007 - 152 schools
- 2008 - 108 schools
- 2009 - 112 schools
- 2010 - 131 schools
- 2011 - 133 schools
Organization of Junior Marathon Semifinal Races
It has been a tradition since 1998 that students of the Academy of Physical Education and Sports in co-operation with PIM supply and perform all services needed for the semi-final rounds.
Selection and location of race tracks
Since the semi-final conditions are very similar to those of the classical marathon, the race becomes even more attractive to runners and spectators as well. Tracks semifinal races are placed in the centers of large cities and parks.
The key to qualifying
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd fastest school would qualify from semi-finals to prague finals in accordance with the number of teams signed up as shown in this scheme:
- 1 - 10 teams 1 qualified
- 11 - 20 teams 2 qualified
- 21 and more teams 3 qualified
In the event that one high school will have two teams, only one can be qualified to final race.
Wild Card
This year one school with the best organizational arrangements, documentary evidence of the most extensive results along with the photo documentation of the actual school round will be awarded a so-called "wild card" and in this way will qualify for the final race.
The intention is not only to form teams of students who will compete to participate in semi-finals or even finals if qualified. Our main idea is to create as enjoyable atmosphere as we possibly can so even students who did not qualify for their school teams will come to support their schoolmates.
One of the steps ahead to achieve a great atmosphere and make the competition more attractive was bringing the race from athletic sport grounds to more enjoyable places like parks or cities. That way runs take place no longer within side stands but mainly in the streets and cities where a marathon race belongs.
Junior Marathon semifinal races that take place in 13 different regional cities in Czech Republic have a great chance to become a festival and not only for high school students who qualify for their school teams.
The final race
The final run will take place concurrently with the Volkswagen Prague Marathon on Sunday, May 13th, 2012.
Relay batons will be placed on the marathon track on every 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, 28th, 32nd and 36th km. Transport of runners to changeover and back will be provided by organizer.
Participants of the Junior Marathon final race will receive all benefits for "Marathon Weekend" May 12th – 13th, 2012 prepared by PIM together with other partners of marathon runs.
