Dear running friends,
this Saturday, March 7, the winners of the ČSOB Winter Series 2026 will be decided!
We are dedicating the final round to International Women’s Day, and therefore we have once again prepared a lovely surprise at the finish line for the more beautiful half of the starting field (no offense, gentlemen 😉), together with our event partner BILLA Slovakia.
🔆 The weather is on our side! The forecast promises a sunny day with ideal running conditions – don’t forget to bring your smiles for the photographers! 📸☀️
We recommend lighter clothing or fewer layers. According to the current forecast, it will be around 12°C at the start, and it may feel even warmer in the sun. 🏃♂️
🎁 Raffle at the end! After the award ceremony for the 5 km and 10 km races, we will draw lucky winners who will take home fantastic prizes from our event partners – for example a Renault Clio for a week from Renault Slovakia, a Garmin Forerunner 570 from Garmin Slovakia, or a romantic dinner for two at the restaurant U Taliana.
The raffle will be drawn from participants of the main races, so it’s definitely worth staying until the very end! 😊
We’re looking forward to seeing you! 🏃♀️🏅
Organizational information for Saturday’s event:
➡️ Race venue: Eurovea (shopping center), Pribinova Street
➡️ Event schedule – Saturday, March 7, 2026:
• 08:00 – 10:00 – registration and participant check-in (under the food court at the end of Eurovea 2)
• 09:45 – children’s warm-up before the start (river promenade near the M. R. Štefánik statue)
• 10:00 – opening of changing rooms and baggage storage
• 10:00 – start of BILLA children’s races (A–B–C)
• 10:30 – award ceremony for BILLA children’s races
• 10:55 – line-up in start corrals – pre-start instructions (3 wave start)
• 11:00 – 10 km race start
• 11:10 – 5 km race start
• 12:20 – award ceremony for 5 km and 10 km races
• 12:30 – raffle draw
➡️ Start times:
• children’s races from 10:00
• 10 km from 11:00
• 5 km from 11:10
➡️ Race bib pick-up:
Eurovea 2, inside the shopping center on the ground floor, near the entrance by the skyscraper
• Friday from 12:00 to 19:00
• Saturday from 08:00 to 10:00
We kindly ask runners from Bratislava to pick up their race bib on Friday if possible.
You may also collect a bib for your friend – simply bring the forwarded registration confirmation email.
➡️ Universal race bib for runners registered for the entire series:
If you purchased entry for the whole series, you received a universal race bib at the St. Nicholas edition, which you will use for all remaining winter series events.
This means you do not need to attend race bib pick-up for the Epiphany, Valentine’s, and Women’s Day editions. Simply bring your intact universal bib from the St. Nicholas edition.
If your universal bib is damaged or lost, please contact us well in advance before the next race. We will replace it.
➡️ Start corridors:
Due to the high number of registered participants, the race will start in three waves with approximately one-minute intervals as follows:
• 1st wave: 5 km up to 27 min, 10 km up to 49 min
• 2nd wave: 5 km 27:01 – 32 min, 10 km 49:01 – 57 min
• 3rd wave: 5 km over 32 min, 10 km over 57:01 min
❗Lining up in corridors is voluntary, but we kindly ask runners to position themselves according to their real performance level.❗
➡️ The start and finish line is located under the M. R. Štefánik statue by the river promenade. Children will run along the promenade towards the Old Bridge, turn around, and run back to the finish.
Maps for the 5 km and 10 km routes are available at www.bratislavamarathon.sk under “Race Day – Venue Map”.
➡️ Changing rooms and baggage storage:
Changing rooms will be available inside Eurovea 2 (at the opposite end of the building from registration), next to Decathlon, approximately opposite McDonald’s. Open Saturday from 10:00.
Baggage storage will be available from 10:00 at the registration area at the end of Eurovea 2.
➡️ Refreshments on the course and at the finish:
There will be a refreshment station at approximately the 5 km mark of the 10 km race (water available). At the finish, every runner will receive a finisher’s medal, water, and a Cool drink. Children will receive water, an apple, and a sweet treat from BILLA Slovakia.
➡️ Photos:
Event photos are provided by professional photo service GetPica. After the event, participants who gave consent during registration will receive an email with a link to their personal photos.
Do not cover your race bib with clothing so your photos can be correctly assigned. If you like your photos, you will be able to purchase them individually or as a discounted package.
If you are unsure whether you gave consent, keep your race bib with its unique code, which allows access to your photos at www.getpica.com.
➡️ Marathon shop:
Our shop will be available during Friday registration. You’ll find accessories in the ČSOB Winter Series design as well as products from our partners, also available at shop.becool.sk. On Saturday, a limited selection will be available.
➡️ Event partners:
Samsung will be present with a booth showcasing its latest products. On Friday, don’t forget to visit the BENU booth during registration, where you can have your blood pressure measured, check your blood glucose level, or spin the wheel of fortune. Dermatology consultations will also be available on site.
➡️ Award ceremonies:
• children: after the children’s races (around 10:30)
• 5 km and 10 km: around 12:20
➡️ Raffle:
The raffle will take place after the main race award ceremony. You must be present in person to claim your prize. If you do not respond, another winner will be drawn.
➡️ How to get to the start:
We recommend arriving on foot or by public transport:
Bus: 29, 50, 70, 90 (stop Malá scéna or Nové SND)
Tram: 3 (stop Šafárikovo námestie)
Trolleybus: 40 (stop Nové SND – from the main train station)
Parking is available at Eurovea (first 5 hours free on weekends). Please note that parking capacity is limited. You may also park in nearby streets.
VIRTUAL VERSION:
➡️ When can I complete my chosen distance?
You can run your 5 km or 10 km (children their age-appropriate distance) anytime from Thursday, March 5, 2026, to Sunday, March 8, 2026.
➡️ Rules for adults (5 km and 10 km):
Measure your time and distance using a sports watch or a mobile app. Upload a screenshot or link from the app as proof via the link sent to you by email from the Haku registration system.
The official result will be based on “elapsed time” – the total time from start to finish, including any breaks during the run.
➡️ Rules for children:
Children’s virtual runs are non-competitive. Parents upload the achieved time into the results system (format hh:mm:ss). No ranking will be created; children will be listed by bib number or alphabetically. Diplomas will be available online.
➡️ Until when can I upload my result?
Anytime after completing your run, but no later than Monday midnight. After midnight (Tuesday morning), the system will close. Do not wait until the last minute.
➡️ What should I pay attention to?
The total elapsed time counts, including breaks.
You may run anywhere, but elevation must not be negative (you cannot descend more than you climb).
Running on a treadmill is prohibited.
➡️ How will I receive my medal?
The finisher’s medal will be sent to all participants (adults and children) who properly upload their result into the system, to the address provided in the registration form.
We’re happy you chose to run with us! Enjoy your run!
