A race around Lužánky park back in 1973

There will be three races for adults: 3200-meter run for men starts at 11 a.m., 3200-meter run for women starts at 11:20 a.m. and finally, 8000-meter run for men will be started at 11:45 a.m.

You can join the run for only CZK 50 – just be there before 10:30 a.m. to register.

Map

Larger map

Brno Runs 2009 (source: brnenskebehy.cibasport.cz)

If you are a passionate runner, you should not miss the event called Brno Runs 2010. Four comptetions will take place at (and around) Náměstí svobody sq. on Sunday, May 2, 1:00 p.m.

The most prestigious race is clearly the half marathon of Brno. If you worry about your heart, you may take a part in the “Parents and children” event on a 300 meter track.

Brno Runs 2010 have an English-language website providing detailed instructions for runners.

Last year's gallery by DAO

It doesn’t matter if you are a professional athlete or just a mother worried about her kid’s overweight. You’d better check the Brno Runs 2009 (good news everyone: English version!), held on Saturday, May 2, anyway.

There’ll be four races:

• Half marathon of Brno (21,098 m long run for all competitors and invited foreign runners, incl. Peter Chesang Kurui)
• „City run for everybody“ (4 km)
• „Looking for dragon of Brno“ (2 km long run for kids born in 1994 and later in the city centre)
• „Parents and children“ (300 m long run for parents with their children until 6 years)

Due to the Brno Runs 2009, public transportation will be reduced in the town’s centre during Saturday, May 2.

Spring is here! Get on your sneakers and enjoy this guide to parks and trails.

Wilsonův les

Named after the 28th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, this park was found in the 1920s. It has became one of the most popular and biggest parks in the city.

Pros:

• Close to the centre of the town.
• The park is located next to the most luxurious quarter – if you get out of the park, you can continue running between nice villas while thinking about your career :)

Cons:

• The paths are paved with dogs’ shits. This will make you think Czechs are soooo 1600s.
• Some of the paths are muggy and dead-end.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

The banks of Svratka

Flowing south from the Brno dam to its confluence with Svitava, Svratka is one of the two biggest rivers in the area. There is a nice “bio-corridor” on its western bank, with a paved road for runners and bikers.

Pros:

• There are some interesting things to see around the track, such as the shanty town “Kamenná kolonie”.
• Cool fresh air, thanks to the river.
• The route is almost flat – great for beginners.

Cons:

• The track is sometimes interrupted by roads.
• Some parts of the track are crowded on sunny weekends.

Map (note the river flowing south in the left third)

Zvětšit mapu

Holedná and Hobrtenky

If you are living close to quarters Kohoutovice, Bystrc or Jundrov, don’t miss the great opportunity to jog among wild goats and other cute fluffy animals. There is a huge wildlife reserve located at the hills called Holedná and Hobrtenky. Just don’t let your dog frighten the game.

Pros:

• Unique locality.
• Privacy – this place is unknown even to many life-long residents of Brno.
• A great place for nordic walking.

Cons:

• Prepare for hills, hills and – hills.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

Bílá hora & Stránská skála

Now let’s go to the eastern part of Brno. Stránská skála is a huge rock that has been used as a dwelling by primaeval men and as a gun-factory by Adolf Hitler. Bílá hora is a nearby hill with (in my opion) the greatest view over the town (pictured above).

Pros:

• Huge green fields to run over.
• Great views.

Cons:

• There are two large factories built between the two hills. Shame!

Map

Zvětšit mapu

Hády (aka Velká Klajdovka)

Finally, a huge nature reservation in the northeast part of the town. There are 10s of kilometers of nice tracks, so your cardio won’t ever be boring again!

Pros:

• If you feel like a 10k run, 20k run or the marathon, the forrest is big enough.

Cons:

• It’s maybe too far from the town’s centre.

Map

Zvětšit mapu

General advices

Don’t be afraid to explore new trails. Generally, there are no dangerous or polluted zones in Brno.

Dog owners often don’t control their “pets” and don’t clean the mess left by dogs. I know this is a problem, but I do not have any solution or advice. Just be patient.

Anytime you go jogging, use a repellent to prevent yourself from being bitten by a tick.

And finally – enjoy the fresh air!