ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025
The ČSOB Winter Series will consist of 4 running events in December 2024, January, February, and March 2025. The ČSOB Winter Series will once again have a thematic focus, so there’s plenty to look forward to. The events will be a combination of classic running races and virtual races.
▪ We will also continue with the virtual race format to accommodate all of you who enjoy this option. It helps with preparation for the spring ČSOB Bratislava Marathon, and at the same time, allows participation even if you can’t attend every race in Bratislava, or if you are on vacation or skiing during the competition weekend.
▪ This combination allows everyone in Slovakia, and potentially from abroad, to take part. As a reward for participation in each leg of the ČSOB Winter Series (whether virtual or traditional, or a combination), you will receive a medal. Medals will be awarded for completing each race. They will be handed out in person at traditional events, or sent by post to those participating virtually, typically within 2 weeks after the event.
▪ The primary goal of the ČSOB Winter Series is to allow participants to experience the competitive atmosphere of races during the "off-season," to compare their performance, have fun, and prepare for the spring running festival. The ČSOB Winter Series will once again be organized with a fun approach, and you can look forward to various special competitions and activities tied to each race.
▪ The virtual race format is primarily designed for participants who are unable to attend the traditional races. The virtual format will be limited to a smaller number of participants compared to the traditional race format.
▪ Please pay extra attention when filling in your address, as race numbers and possibly medals may be sent to you by post. Make sure the address is correct so we can ensure proper delivery.
▪ You can participate in virtual races over several days (Thursday to Sunday), while traditional races will have a set time and location (Saturday).
▪ Results will be created separately for the traditional races and virtual races.
▪ After the conclusion of the ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025, an overall ranking will be made based on the total times achieved in the virtual races (4 events) and the total times achieved in the traditional races (4 events). The assumption is that the runner will always run the same distance and choose the same race format (virtual or traditional) for all four events.
Jozef Pukalovič, Event Director
ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025 "CLASSIC RACES"
Instructions and Basic Information
Main Organizer: BE COOL, s.r.o., BE COOL Bory, s.r.o., Krajinská 37, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, in collaboration with Bratislava Marathon, o.z., Krajinská 37, 821 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
Dates:
- Series "St. Nicholas Edition" – 07.12.2024 – Eurovea (Old Town/Ružinov)
- Series "Epiphany Edition" – 11.01.2025 – Draždiak Haus (Petržalka)
- Series "Valentine’s Edition" – 15.02.2025 – Vodárenská záhrada (Karlova Ves)
- Series "International Women's Day Edition" – 08.03.2025 – Eurovea (Old Town/Ružinov)
Race Start Times:
- 10:15 AM – Kids' races – A, B, C (starts approximately every 5 minutes)
- 11:00 AM – 10 km race
- 11:10 AM – 5 km race
(Exact start times may slightly differ between individual races. We will keep you updated.)
Distances and Categories:
- Kids' Races
- A – up to 6 years old (born in 2019 or later) – 300 meters
- B – 7 to 10 years old (born in 2015 - 2018) – 600 meters
- C – 11 to 14 years old (born in 2011 - 2014) – 800 meters
- 5 km or 10 km
Age Limit:
- 15 years – 5 km (born in 2010 or earlier)
- 18 years – 10 km (born in 2007 or earlier)
Categories: Men:
- M under 39 years old (born in 1986 – 2007/2010)
- M40 – 40 to 49 years old (born in 1976 – 1985)
- M50 – 50 to 59 years old (born in 1966 – 1975)
- M60 – 60 years old and older (born in 1965 or earlier)
Women:
- W under 39 years old (born in 1986 – 2007/2010)
- W40 – 40 to 49 years old (born in 1976 – 1985)
- W50 – 50 to 59 years old (born in 1966 – 1975)
- W60 – 60 years old and older (born in 1965 or earlier)
Note: The placement in categories and evaluation is based on the year 2025 (since 3 out of 4 races are held that year), so that we can unify results across all races in the series.
Main Officials:
- Race Director and Main Organizer: Jozef Pukalovič
- Technical Director: Peter Pukalovič
- Sports Director: Tomáš Willwéber
- Safety Manager and Head Referee: Dag Bělak
Registration:
- a) Online via sportsofttiming.sk, bratislavamarathon.sk
- b) In-person during the presentation before each race, provided the participant limit has not been reached.
Entry Fees: Payment can be made by credit card during online registration using the payment terminal within the registration system, or directly at the event if the participant limit has not been reached in that discipline. For payment issues, contact registracia@becool.sk.
Before the event, you will receive a newsletter via email (sent to the email provided during registration) with instructions and information about the event and participation conditions.
Please check if your name is on the starting list before attending the presentation. If not, contact registracia@becool.sk, and when picking up your race number (at the presentation), show the printed "Payment Confirmation," which you will receive via email after payment.
Refund Policy: Paid entry fees are non-refundable. In case of cancellation up to 7 days before the event, the participant may transfer the entry to another race, or to the next year's event. If the participant cancels due to medical reasons (with a doctor's certificate) within the week of the event (from Monday), they can transfer the entry fee to the next year’s event or to another race in the series.
Re-registration: A re-registration fee of €5 will be charged when picking up the race package. The organizer will handle re-registrations as they are reported. Re-registration on race day is not possible; you must re-register at least one day before the relevant race. Once the race package is picked up, re-registration is no longer possible.
Race Numbers: Race numbers are non-transferable. If the organizer discovers that a runner is competing under someone else's number, that participant will be disqualified.
Participant Limit: 1000 registered runners + children with paid entry fees. A participant is considered registered only after the entry fee is paid, at which point the system assigns a race number, and the participant is listed in the starting list.
Time Limit: 1:30 hours from the race start.
Presentation and Pick-up of Race Numbers: The exact location and time will be announced. The presentation will take place on Friday, the day before the event, and on the event day, no later than one hour before the start of your chosen discipline.
If possible, we kindly ask that you pick up your race numbers before the race day (Friday) to allow participants traveling from outside of Bratislava to have a more flexible presentation process just before the race.
Entry Fees:
- A) Children – €6 / €8
B) Adults – €18 / €22
Depending on the payment date:
- ČSOB Winter Series 07.12.2024:
- until 24.11.2024 – €6 / €18
- from 25.11.2024 – €8 / €22
- ČSOB Winter Series 11.01.2025:
- until 31.12.2024 – €6 / €18
- from 01.01.2025 – €8 / €22
- ČSOB Winter Series 15.02.2025:
- until 02.02.2025 – €6 / €18
- from 03.02.2025 – €8 / €22
- ČSOB Winter Series 08.03.2025:
- until 23.02.2025 – €6 / €18
- from 24.02.2025 – €8 / €22
Discounted Package Entry Fees for all 4 races:
- Children’s races – €20
- Adults – €72 – participants will receive a special ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025 medal stand as a gift.
A participant is only considered officially registered after the entry fee is paid! You can verify your registration in the event’s starting list on the website bratislavamarathon.sk.
Entry Fee Includes:
- Race number with name (for registration and payment before the early registration deadline) – applies to traditional races.
- Medal – each participant will receive one for completing each leg of the ČSOB Winter Series.
- Refreshments at the finish line and along the course (10 km).
- Chip timing (the chip will be attached to the race number).
- SMS with your final time, if the runner provides a mobile phone number during online registration.
- Online diploma available for download after the race.
- Changing rooms to get dressed.
- Storage facilities for personal belongings.
Insurance:
All participants are required to secure their own individual health insurance (standard general health insurance covered by one of the insurers is sufficient). The organizer is not responsible for damage to property or health related to travel, accommodation, or participation in the event. Each participant competes at their own risk and is responsible for their health condition at the time of starting the race and participating in the event.
Before the start, it is recommended that participants undergo a medical examination. Each participant must check the health insurance listed during registration (this also applies when collecting the race number for another participant). Foreign participants must present a photocopy of their health insurance card valid for this event. Without presenting this confirmation, the race number will not be issued, even if the entry fee has been paid.
Timing:
Time measurement is provided by VOS-TPK using chips. The chip is located on the back of the race number. The runner will receive the race number with the chip during registration when collecting the race package. The race number and chip do not need to be returned.
Results:
The results service is provided by VOS-TPK. The results will be published after the event on sportsofttiming.sk and subsequently on bratislavamarathon.sk.
Rules:
The race will follow the rules of athletic competitions by WA and the provisions of these instructions. A runner may leave the course with the permission and supervision of a referee, provided they do not shorten the race distance. A runner who receives refreshments outside the designated refreshment station is at risk of disqualification. A runner must immediately withdraw from the race at the request of the event’s chief medical officer. Any form of escort (including bicycle accompaniment), or any assistance provided to the runner during the race by others, except for necessary medical assistance provided by the event’s medical personnel, is considered unauthorized help.
The use of headphones during the race is prohibited, and runners risk disqualification. This rule is in place primarily for the safety of the runners and spectators, as well as to ensure proper organizational interventions and instructions from the organizers during the race, and to respond to movements of escort vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles of the organizer, police, and emergency services. Additionally, wearing headphones prevents runners from fully experiencing the atmosphere created by fellow runners, spectators, and the accompanying program.
Protests:
Protests must be submitted verbally to the head referee no later than 30 minutes after the results are posted. An appeal against the decision of the head referee, accompanied by a deposit of €10, must be submitted in writing to the jury within 30 minutes after the official announcement of the head referee's decision.
Material Prizes:
- The first three women and the first three men in each age category for each race will receive material prizes.
- The overall winners of the traditional races in the men's and women's categories (3 men and 3 women) will be announced after the total time across all four races (5 and 10 km). The winners will receive the "ČSOB Winter Series" Trophies, and the top three runners in each age category will also receive prizes. The winners will be announced during the Saturday afternoon program of the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon 2025 (06.04.2025).
Information:
All race information will be continuously updated on bratislavamarathon.sk
Contacts:
Registration:
- Phone: 0904 404 638
- Email: registracia@becool.sk
Medical Services:
Emergency and rescue services will be available at the start and finish areas.
General Provisions:
The organizer, BE COOL, s.r.o., reserves the right to modify and further specify any information provided in these propositions, particularly in view of force majeure circumstances. The organizer also reserves the right to close the registration when the participant limit is reached, or to allow additional participants to join the event. BE COOL, s.r.o. also reserves the right to cancel or suspend the event or any part of it in case of severe danger, such as war, adverse weather, terrorist threats, or other attacks that threaten participant safety, or any unforeseen force majeure events such as government orders or measures from national or local authorities and institutions.
In such cases, the participant is not entitled to a refund of the entry fee or any part of it, as the organizer will have already incurred costs in preparing the event before the moment of suspension/cancellation. However, the organizer may consider compensating part of the entry fee after evaluating all circumstances and the costs involved.
The information in these propositions was created on October 10, 2024, based on the evaluation of the current epidemiological situation and the expected development of mass event organization in the coming weeks and months, as well as the experience gained by the organizer during previous periods of the pandemic in organizing sports and cultural events.
The organizer reserves the right to adjust participant limits and other conditions for participation in the event, or to further specify them (e.g., requiring a vaccination certificate or negative test, etc.), including "ad hoc" adjustments depending on the current epidemiological situation in Slovakia, as evaluated in connection with the event date and the health protection measures (for both participants and spectators) set by the relevant authorities.
If, due to these measures and participation conditions, a participant with a paid entry is unable to attend the event, the organizer guarantees a full refund of the entry fee or offers the possibility to transfer the entry to a future edition of the event or another event organized by the Bratislava Marathon team.
We look forward to seeing you!