Fifty elite athletes from 16 nations across the continent battled it out over four races in the EuroHeroes Challenge 2023, with the magnificent Czech glass cups for the winners ultimately going to Tereza Hrochova of Czechia and Germany's Sebastian Hendel.
In the women’s series, Poland's Aleksandra Lisowska, the marathon champion from the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships, set the bar high after winning the first race in Karlovy Vary. However, it was Hrochova, who placed second in the last two races before defeating Lisowska in Ústí nad Labem, who was crowned EuroHeroes queen in 2023.
Meanwhile, Hendel, the big favourite in the men's series, met the lofty expectations by winning two races in Olomouc and Ústí nad Labem en route to being crowned the EuroHeroes men's champion for 2023.
What they said
After winning the final race in Ústí, Hrochova said:
“I thought it would be great to place among the first three before the race. I could not even imagine defeating the European champion from last year, but I did. The title of EuroHeroes 2023 made me evaluate this season as great and served as a steppingstone for ending the season at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Brussels.”
Hendel said of his victory:
“It was a very rewarding experience! The way the organisers put it all together made it feel extraordinary. I'm glad that I could win the EuroHeroes competition this year. As for motivation, it gave me a big boost, which will hopefully get me through some rougher times again when I'm injured or when races don't go my way.
“The EuroHeroes is a great idea. I think supporting and promoting European competition is much more relatable to hobby runners and spectators in the continent. Additionally, it gives European road runners a better platform to promote themselves.
“I also like the RunCzech half marathon series because of the atmosphere and the excellent organisation. Also, it allows you to get to know the Czechia and its culture. As a German, I live pretty close to the border, but apart from Prague, I never had the chance to get to know the Czechia and the rich history and culture it has to offer.”
Petr Kulhánek, the governor of the Karlovy Vary region, praised the organisers:
“I thank RunCzech for bringing this prestigious race to Karlovy Vary. Competitors and runners regularly return to the city with their families, which is the main added value the race brings to us as a region.”
Full EuroHeroes Challenge 2023 results
Looking forward to 2024
The 2024 series offers runners and fans alike the chance to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy these fantastic races once again. This year, EuroHeroes races will be streamed using Pulse.TV, so be sure to mark the dates in your calendar to either watch the races or be there in person to explore the beautiful Czech cities of Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice, Olomouc and Ústí nad Labem.
EuroHeroes Challenge 2024 calendar
About EuroHeroes
EuroHeroes was founded by RunCzech in 2018 and since then has honoured and celebrated the achievements of European athletes with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of European athletes, promoting their development, and uncovering new running stars.
The competition format requires runners to complete at least two of the four EuroHeroes races (all World Athletics Road Race Label half marathons in 2023) held in the Czechia to be in with a chance of winning the overall title. Athletes are awarded points according to the World Athletics Scoring Tables to determine the winners. The sum of the two best points totals earned by each athlete determines the final rankings and titles.