Interview with the Director of Košice Marathon Branislav Koniar

“Two Years After the 100th Anniversary of Košice Marathon – More Motivated Than Ever”

Since 1992, BRANISLAV KONIAR has been the director of the oldest European marathon. Together with his colleagues, they strive every year to organize this attractive event as best as possible. A year after the 100th anniversary of the Košice Marathon, he told us about the challenges and surprises currently facing his preparation team for the event.

KOŠICE CITY GUIDE: Why is the Košice Marathon the oldest marathon in Košice? Could you briefly describe its history and the most important milestones in the history of the marathon?

BRANISLAV KONIAR: In 1924, Vojtech Braun Bukovsky from Košice travelled to the Olympics in Paris. He returned enthusiastic, particularly enchanted by marathon. He rallied his friends from sports clubs, the commander of the military garrison, and within three months they organized a marathon and run in their city. They persevered, as did subsequent generations, and while other marathons disappeared, ours survived all crises and is now clearly the oldest in Europe.

KCG: Which personal stories of the participants in the Košice Marathon particularly stuck in your mind?

BK: You could write a book about them. Let’s pick at least one about the unbreakable desire to run a marathon in Košice. Back in 1933, it was so famous that József Vass from Szeged, Hungary, wanted to run it at all costs. But he didn’t have the money for the trip. So he got on his bike and set off for Košice, 400 km away. And he didn’t do as bad at all. Out of 31 starters, he finished in 13th position.

KCG: Our magazine and website are read by many foreigners and tourists from around the world. Please, tell us about your connections with similar competitions abroad. How do you build your image abroad?

BK: We meet the criteria to be included in the World Athletics calendar, and they are also a member of the World Marathon Association (AIMS). However, that alone is not enough. We are building a network of ambassadors, traveling to presentations, and financing support campaigns. Competition in this global market is unimaginable. It is not easy to attract attention.

KCG: Last year, more than 16 000 runners from around the world participated in the Košice Marathon race. Every year, more women participate in your marathon run. How do you motivate them to participate in this running competition?

BK: There were more than 16,000 runners. Women still represent enormous potential for the Košice Peace Marathon. If their share in the marathon itself rose itself to a possible 50%, as we see in Japan or the USA, for example, our numbers would increase significantly. We have been developing the Women Friendly Marathon program for more than 10 years. Its results also contribute to women’s interest in this event. In the half marathon discipline, their representation is approaching 36%, and in relay races and mini-marathons, they make up more than half of the participants.

KCG: This year, more than 18,000 runners have registered for the International Peace Marathon in Košice, despite the fact that the entry fee was increased to €70 in September 2026. What do you attribute this exceptionally high level of interest in your marathon, both among domestic and international athletes?

BK: Interest in taking part in our marathon has been growing steadily for many years. We saw a more significant increase in participation during decadal anniversaries, and this trend has continued ever since. We have built a strong and prestigious reputation for the event. In my opinion, runners are attracted by the combination of its rich tradition and the modern character of the event today.
Among people of working age, there is a clear increase in interest in changing their lifestyle. All of these factors are part of the broader developments contributing to the growing number of participants in our marathon.

KCG: The name of your marathon, the “Košický maratón mieru – Košice Peace Marathon,” seems to have taken on an even greater significance at a time when the world is calling for successful peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Will there be any athletes taking part in the race wearing shirts or jerseys displaying peace messages?

BK: Absolutely. One of our campaigns this year is called “Run in White.” We are encouraging participants in the Košice Marathon to wear white for the race on Sunday, October 4, using the colour as a symbol of their support for peace, freedom and tolerance.Our official race T-shirt, which carries the same message and is also white, is another way of encouraging people to take part and express their support for these values.

KCG: What measures have you taken to ensure safety and fairness in this running competition?

BK: Our organizational manual is over 500 pages long. Its application is largely focused on safety issues. We organize the marathon race according to World Athletics rules and strive to create fair conditions for all participants. Many infrastructure limitations pose a major challenge for us in this regard.

KCG: How do you attract world-class runners who can run a marathon in 2:04 or 2:05 hours to participate in the Košice Marathon run? Does the fact, that the Košice City hosts the oldest marathon race in the world, encourage many runners to participate?

BK: This fact does not help much. The budget and a fast track are decisive. It’s like in soccer – either you have enough money for a great player, or he will transfer elsewhere. These are professional athletes who cannot be guided solely by sentiment, such as – I ran the oldest marathon.

KCG: For more than a hundred years, commemorative stamps, coins, and badges have been issued for almost every year of the marathon. Do you have anything commemorative this year, and where can tourists and the inhabitants of Košice purchase these commemorative items?

BK: You can find and purchase souvenirs at Expe MMM. This year, it will take place again at Kulturpark on October 3 and 4.

KCG: There is also a Košice Peace Marathon app. Can you explain to our readers how this app works and who it is intended for?

BK: It is primarily intended for runners themselves, for whom it provides the abundance of important information. But it will also be useful for fans. Using the live tracking service, they can follow the progress of their favorites or favorite runners on the track.

KCG: A great group of runners has formed around the Košice Marathon, motivating and supporting other runners who are participating in the marathon or planning to participate. Can you tell us more about the support group called BART?

BK: There is a group of runners who run the course at an agreed target time, helping less experienced runners maintain the right pace. Their mental and practical support is also significant, as they are able to encourage runners during difficult moments or give them effective advice.

KCG: The Košice Peace Marathon celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago, and you have been its director since 1992. Looking ahead, what is the biggest challenge you see for the next decade, and what would you like the Košice Marathon to be known for when it reaches its 110th anniversary?

BK: We will continue to do our best to keep pace with an increasingly globalized world, where competition is constantly growing. People’s attitudes towards how they spend their leisure can also change rapidly, so we need to stay flexible and keep up with these developments.
We are closely monitoring the impact of artificial intelligence and looking for ways to make effective use of AI tools in our work. We also want to deepen several of our year-round programmes, with the aim of positioning the brand as a leader in shaping public opinion and encouraging positive attitudes towards life in society.

KCG: When do you begin preparations for the following year’s Košice Peace Marathon?

BK: Eleven months before the start. It takes us up to eight weeks to “catch up” with the previous year, mainly in terms of administration and finances. From December 1, we switch fully to the next year. In recent years, we have been launching runner registration on this date. Ten people are working intensively on preparing the marathon throughout the year, and 60 people work for us two months before the start. During the marathon itself, our team numbers around 1,500. This includes the helping hands of volunteers, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.

Interview conducted by
© Daniela Capcarová