Dear running friends! 🏃♂️❤️🏃♀️
This Saturday, 7th February, we will start together the third event of the ČSOB winter series 2026 – the popular Valentine’s Edition! 💘
The ČSOB Bratislava Marathon is approaching, so this is the perfect time to test your condition. Prepare your running shoes, your running outfit, and add a little Valentine’s atmosphere! 🎽💖
Bonus for running couples in love:
Take part in a competition photoshoot at the photo wall with the event’s official photographer and enter the contest to win a Valentine’s dinner at the restaurant U Taliana worth €100.
Event partners have also donated other attractive prizes for the raffle, including a 1-week car rental of a Renault Symbioz from Renault Slovakia and Garmin sports watches.
The raffle will take place after the award ceremonies of the main races and the draw will be held among all runners registered for the 5 km or 10 km disciplines.
We’re looking forward to seeing you! 🙌💙
Organizational information for Saturday’s event:
➡️ Event venue (NEW LOCATION!)
Veolia Arena Draždiak, Tematínska 3, Bratislava – Petržalka
➡️ Event program – Saturday, February 7, 2026
Veolia Arena Draždiak
08:00 – 10:00 – Registration and participant check-in
09:45 – Children’s warm-up before the start
10:00 – Start of children’s races (A – B – C)
10:00 – Opening of changing rooms and bag storage
10:30 – Award ceremony for BILLA children’s races
10:40 – Contest photoshoot at the photo wall for the Valentine’s dinner at U Taliana (first opportunity)
10:55 – Line-up in start corridors – pre-start info – 3 starts for both 10 km and 5 km
11:00 – Start of the 10 km race
11:10 – Start of the 5 km race
12:10 – Contest photoshoot at the photo wall for the Valentine’s dinner at U Taliana (second opportunity)
12:20 – Award ceremony for 5 km and 10 km races
12:30 – Partner prize raffle draw
➡️ Start times:
- Children’s races: from 10:00
- 10 km: 11:00
- 5 km: 11:10
➡️ Bib number pickup (presentation):
Friday: 12:00 – 19:00
Eurovea 2, inside the shopping center on the ground floor (level 0), near the entrance close to the skyscraper
Saturday: 08:00 – 10:00
At the event venue near Veolia Arena Petržalka
We kindly ask runners from Bratislava to pick up their bibs on Friday if possible! You may also collect bib numbers for your friends – all you need is the forwarded registration confirmation email.
➡️ Universal bib number (full series runners):
If you purchased registration for the entire series, you received a universal bib number at the St. Nicholas Edition, which you will use for all subsequent events of the winter series.
This means you do not need to attend presentation/registration at the Three Kings, Valentine’s, and International Women’s Day editions. Just come with your intact universal bib number from the St. Nicholas Edition.
If your universal bib is damaged or lost, contact us well in advance before the next edition – we will replace it.
➡️ Start corridors (waves):
Due to the high number of registered participants, starts will be in three waves with approximately one-minute intervals:
1st start: 5 km: up to 27 min/ 10 km: up to 49 min
2nd start: 5 km: 27:01 – 32 min / 10 km: 49:01 – 57 min
3rd start: 5 km: over 32 min/ 10 km: over 57:01 min
❗ Corridor placement is voluntary, but runners are kindly asked to line up according to their real performance level. ❗
➡️ Start & finish:
Both start and finish are located on the asphalt road near Veolia Arena Draždiak, where the entire event area will also be situated.
Course maps for 5 km and 10 km are published on www.bratislavamarathon.sk in the section “Race Day – Area Map”. Children will run 300 m, 600 m, or 800 m (depending on age) to Lake Draždiak and back.
To ensure maximum comfort and safety, the shorter distance is slightly adjusted – instead of exactly 5 km, the race will be 200 m longer, so the route runs mostly on high-quality asphalt.
There will be a timing mat at the 5 km mark, so results will show both total time and exact 5 km split time – allowing you to track your progress during this training period.
➡️ Changing rooms & bag storage:
Available in the event area near the registration point. Changing rooms will be inside the ice rink building and open from 10:00 on Saturday. Toilets will also be available there.
➡️ Refreshments & medal:
- On the 10 km course: refreshment station at approx. 5 km (water)
- At the finish: Finisher medal, Mattoni water, Red Bull and tea
➡️ Photos:
Professional photo service by 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 bib number with clothing so photos can be correctly assigned.
If you’re unsure whether you gave photo consent, keep your bib – it contains a unique code to access your photos at www.getpica.com.
Photos can be purchased individually or as discounted packages.
➡️ Marathon shop:
- Friday registration: full shop available
- Saturday registration: limited selection
You’ll find ČSOB Winter Series merchandise and partner products (also available at shop.becool.sk).
➡️ Awards, raffle, Valentine’s dinner draw:
- Children’s races: ~10:30
- 5 km & 10 km: ~12:20
- Raffle + Valentine’s dinner draw after main category awards
Condition: You must be present in person during the draw. If not, another winner will be drawn.
➡️ Getting to the start:
Best options: on foot or by public transport (MHD)
Connections: www.imhd.sk
Nearest stops:
- “Veľký Draždiak” (bus + tram no. 3)
- “Lúčanka”
Parking notice:
Parking possible near residential buildings, nearby shopping centers, or near St. Cyril and Method Hospital. Some areas are paid parking. Parking in the ice rink area is not allowed.
VIRTUAL VERSION
➡️ When can I run my distance?
From Thursday 5.2.2026 to Sunday 8.2.2026
➡️ Rules for adults (5 km & 10 km):
Measure time and distance using a running watch or mobile app. Upload a screenshot or app link as proof via the link in the email.
Result time = “elapsed time” → total time from start to finish including any breaks (Do not pause your watch/app if you stop.)
➡️ Rules for children:
Children’s virtual runs are non-competitive. Parents upload the achieved time to the system (link sent before the event). Time format: hh:mm:ss (e.g. 00:01:52)
No rankings by time – children will be listed by bib number or alphabetically.
Each child can download their personal diploma from the results page.
➡️ Deadline for result upload:
Anytime after running, but no later than Monday at midnight.
After midnight (Tuesday morning), uploads will no longer be possible.
➡️ Important notes:
- Total time includes breaks
- You may run anywhere, but elevation must not be negative
(you cannot run more downhill than uphill) - Treadmill running is forbidden
➡️ Medal delivery:
Finisher medals will be sent by post to all participants (adults & children) who properly upload their result, to the address provided in the registration form.
We’re happy you decided to run with us!
Enjoy your run! 🏃♀️🏃♂️💙
