Today is Wednesday 15th June and we have news for you – the fourth edition of the restored Sokol tradition, the Sokol Run of the Republic, opens registrations for participants. On this day in 1862 our proud Sokol greeting was introduced and we would like to say “Nazdar” together with you at one of the running events around the Czech Republic and abroad. We will run again on the day of our republic’s foundation anniversary, on the 28th of October 2022. The run starts at 2 pm around the country and even the youngest of runners can enjoy the event as there are children’s races too. Choose one of the runs and see you at the start!
This year’s Sokol Run of the Republic wants to focus on the runners’ experience and make sure they enjoy this sporting event to the full, wherever they will run – in a city, in the countryside or abroad. This year the runs are organised by Sokol organisations you know from previous years, but there are also a few newbies. “There are many running events, but I dare say that none is as connected to the history of the republic; the atmosphere is inimitable as there are Sokol symbols with rich history everywhere and running under those is a real experience,” adds Hana Moučková, the head of the Czech Sokol Organisation.
The many towns where the event takes place this year include Prague, Brno, České Budějovice, Ústí nad Labem, Plzeň and Jablonec nad Nisou. There are also smaller municipalities but with a great Sokol spirit such as Syrovice in the Brno district, Březník in Vysočina, or Náměšť na Hané in the Olomouc Region. Our compatriots who continue in the Sokol tradition and develop its ideas abroad will join us in Washington DC, San Francisco as well as in Cabo Roig in Spain. Each of the places is different, which makes the Sokol Run of the Republic unique. “I love that this event is about healthy lifestyle and sport. It’s time to run and if we remind ourselves of the rich history of our country, the better,” says Olympic medallist and Sokol ambassador Alexander Choupenitch. A list of runs you can choose from at the moment can be found on the map below or at www.behrepubliky.cz. Further locations will be added, so no need to despair if you haven’t found your town or village on the map.
And what are our aims? They’re definitely not small as the Sokol Run of the Republic knows no borders. We would like to connect runners and Sokol organisations and together celebrate our country’s 104th anniversary. We want to instill in all participating runners and Sokol members the joy of sport and to spread the idea of togetherness and moral values in today’s society. In 2021 we enjoyed the atmosphere together with over 5,000 runners in 44 places in the Czech Republic and 4 abroad.
Set out on this journey with us, you can join the main run on the Petřín Hill in Prague for example, delve into the history of our country and celebrate the Republic Day through sport. Register for your run now at www.behrepubliky.cz. See you at the start!
