Instructions for the Virtual version are provided below.
🎅 The St. Nicolas edition is here! This Saturday, December 7th, join us at the starting line of the opening event of the ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025. ❄️
We look forward to the festive atmosphere, impressive sports performances, and the amazing vibe of the St. Nicolas edition! This cheerful figure will visit Eurovea to bring joy to kids – both young and old!
After the results are announced, get ready for the raffle! Everyone dressed in festive style will have a chance to win, with the grand prize being a Renault car for a whole week! It’s definitely worth participating! If you couldn’t find anything festive at home, don’t worry! Stop by our shop before the start to pick up Santa hats and other accessories in the ČSOB Winter Series design.
See you at the starting line!
EVENT ORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS FOR SATURDAY:
➡️ Race location: Eurovea Shopping Center, Pribinova Street, Bratislava
➡️ Event Program – Saturday, December 7th, 2024:
- 08:00 – 10:00: Registration and participant check-in
- 09:50: Group photo with St Nicolas (start/finish area – promenade)
- 10:00: Opening of dressing rooms and personal item storage
- 10:00: Kids’ warm-up before the start (riverside near M.R. Štefánik statue)
- 10:15: Start of kids’ races (A – B – C)
- 10:55: Line-up in starting corridors – race director’s instructions
- 11:00: Start of the 10 km discipline
- 11:10: Start of the 5 km discipline
- 11:15: Awards ceremony for kids’ races
- 12:20: Awards ceremony for 5 km and 10 km races
- 12:30: Raffle + announcement of the best Christmas running costume contest winner
➡️ Race Bib Pickup Information:
Friday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Inside the Eurovea 2 shopping center, on the ground floor (level 0), in the new building near the exit by the skyscraper.
We kindly ask participants from Bratislava to pick up their race bibs on Friday, if possible!
You can also pick up race bibs for your friends. All you need is the forwarded email confirming their registration.
➡️ Universal Race Bib for Series Participants:
If you’ve registered for the entire series, you’ll receive a universal race bib to use at all events in the ČSOB Winter Series. This means you won’t need to attend bib pickup for the Three Kings, Valentine’s, or Women’s Day editions. Just bring your undamaged bib from the St Nicolas edition to each race.
If your bib is damaged or lost, contact us well in advance of the next race to get a replacement.
➡️ Starting Corridors:
Due to the high number of participants, the race will start in three waves, approximately one minute apart:
- Wave 1: 5 km under 27 minutes, 10 km under 49 minutes
- Wave 2: 5 km 27:01–32 minutes, 10 km 49:01–57 minutes
- Wave 3: 5 km over 32 minutes, 10 km over 57:01 minutes
❗ Participation in the starting corridors is voluntary, but we kindly ask runners to line up according to their realistic performance levels. ❗
➡️ Start and Finish Line:
The start and finish line is located by the M. R. Štefánik statue near the promenade. Kids’ races will take place on the promenade. Maps for the 5 km and 10 km courses are available on our website at www.bratislavamarathon.com in the “Race Day – Site Map” section.
➡️ Changing Rooms and Storage:
Changing rooms and a storage area will be available inside Eurovea 2, near Decathlon and approximately opposite the McDonald’s. They will open on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
➡️ Refreshments and Medals:
A refreshment station with water will be available at around the 5 km mark on the 10 km course. At the finish line, every participant will receive a medal, Mattoni water, and hot tea. If tea is temporarily unavailable, it will be prepared shortly.
➡️ Photos:
Photographers will be on the course and at the finish line—don’t forget to smile! Your race bib includes a special QR code that allows the Getpica photo service to assign photos to you. Please don’t cover your bib with clothing layers or throw it away after finishing! You’ll need it to access your photos at www.getpica.com. Photos can be purchased individually or in a discounted set.
➡️ Marathon Shop:
At the registration area, you’ll find our shop with accessories featuring the ČSOB Winter Series 2025 design (buffs, headbands, t-shirts, socks, medal stands, etc.), as well as products from our partners, also available at shop.becool.sk. You can also purchase a Santa hat there. If you run wearing it, you’ll receive a raffle ticket at the finish line!
➡️ Awards and Raffle:
- Kids’ results announcement: after the start of the 5 km race, approximately at 11:15 AM
- 5 km and 10 km results announcement: approximately at 12:20 PM
- Raffle: held after the main category results are announced
➡️ Raffle – Participation Requirements:
- Every runner in festive outfit will be entered into the raffle for exciting prizes. You don’t have to come dressed as Santa (but you can!). X-max themed running accessories will also count. 😊
- Don’t forget to stop by our shop on site to purchase a Santa hat. At the finish line, show us your festive outfit, and we’ll give you a raffle ticket.
- We’ve prepared several great prizes! The grand prize is a car from Renault for an entire week. The draw will take place after the winners of the 5 km and 10 km races are announced.
- Please note that you must be physically present to claim your prize. Otherwise, another participant will be drawn.
➡️ Santa’s Mailbox:
St Nicolas will visit the first event of the ČSOB Winter Series 2024/2025, and five lucky participants will receive a gift delivered to their Christmas tree. How to enter the contest:
- Write a letter at home stating which sports gift you’d like.
- Sign it clearly with your full name and include your race bib number.
- Place the letter in the envelope provided at bib pickup.
- Drop the envelope into the holiday mailbox near the start area by the promenade.
➡️ Costume Contest:
St. Nisolas team will be keeping an eye on your creative festive outfits! The most original costumes will be awarded a gift at the event. Make sure to stay until the end!
➡️ How to Get to the Start Line:
The best way is to come on foot or use public transport:
- Bus: 29, 50, 70, 90 (Malá scéna or Nové SND stops)
- Tram: 3 (Šafárikovo námestie stop)
- Trolleybus: 40 (Nové SND stop) – runs from the main train station if you arrive by train.
Parking will be available at Eurovea (the first 5 hours are free on weekends). Please note that parking spaces are limited. You may also find parking in the surrounding streets.
➡️ When can I complete my selected distance?
You can run your chosen distance of 5 km or 10 km, or the children’s distance according to age, anytime between Thursday, December 5, 2024, and Sunday, December 8, 2024.
➡️ How can I record my run?
You need to track your run using a GPS-enabled running watch or a mobile app that allows you to create a GPX file of your activity.
We’ve prepared instructions for downloading GPX files from various watches and running apps for adults.
Check the manual here: https://bratislavamarathon.sk/aaa/
➡️ How do I upload my run record?
Children’s races are non-competitive, so no recording is required. After your child finishes their run, parents should log the result in the results system using the link provided in the registration confirmation email. Enter the recorded time in the format hours:minutes:seconds, e.g., 00:02:15.
For the 5 km or 10 km distances, upload your GPX file using the link sent in the registration confirmation email.
For guidance on uploading your run record, visit: https://bratislavamarathon.sk/manual-nahratia-bezeckeho-vykonu/
➡️ By when do I need to upload my result?
You can upload your result anytime after completing your run, but no later than midnight on Monday. After that (Tuesday morning), the system will no longer accept submissions. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
➡️ What should I pay attention to?
- We count the total time from the start to the end of your run. If you take a break during your run, this time will be included in your overall result.
- You can run your chosen distance anywhere, but the elevation must not be negative, i.e., you cannot run more downhill than uphill.
- Running on a treadmill is prohibited!
➡️ How will I receive my medal?
Your participation medal will be sent to the address you provided in the registration form.
We’re excited to have you join us! Enjoy your run!
