Dear running friends! 🏃♂️❤️🏃♀️
This Saturday, February 15th, we kick off the third part of the ČSOB Winter Series 2025 – the beloved Valentine’s Edition! 💘
With the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon approaching, now is the perfect time to test your fitness. Get your running shoes ready, put on your outfit, and add a touch of Valentine’s spirit! 🎽💖
Bonus for 5 km and 10 km runners: If you wear a Valentine’s-themed accessory (for example a red, pink shirt, or even an Amor costume 😄), or if you run in a T-shirt, buff, or headband from this year’s winter series, you can win a Garmin 165 watch! ⌚🔥
And that’s not all – our event partners have more amazing rewards for you! Renault Slovakia will give one lucky running couple a stylish Renault Symbioz crossover for an entire week, while BILLA Slovakia will surprise ten lucky winners with cinema tickets! More details can be found in the event guidelines below.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🙌💙
Event Information for Saturday:
➡️ Race location: NEW PLACE! Vodárenské múzeum, Devínska cesta 1, 841 04 Bratislava (Karlova Ves)
Attention! ⚠️ The location Vodárenská záhrada is currently closed to the public, and entry to the grassy areas is strictly prohibited due to recent floods and ongoing revitalization. Thank you for understanding!
❗Important Notice:
We expect nearly 1,500 runners at the start. We know that the running community is amazing and considerate. Since this event is taking place at a completely new location, we kindly ask for extra mutual respect and awareness. This is still a preparatory race, so make sure to enjoy it to the fullest on Saturday – with a smile on your face and joy in your stride! 😊
Please follow these guidelines:
- Kids’ Races: During the children’s races, please do not enter the running track to allow the youngest participants to fully enjoy their run.
- Warm-up: Use the cycling path or the promenade by the river for your pre-race warm-up.
- Safety on the Course: Be extra cautious, especially right after the start and when approaching the finish line.
- 5K Course: Runners on the 5K course should keep to the right side of the road. Before the finish line near the Lafranconi Bridge, both race routes merge—please allow faster 10K runners to overtake safely on the left.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we wish you an amazing race experience! 🏃♂️🏃♀️💙
➡️ How to Get to the Start Line: We recommend arriving by foot or public transport. The nearest bus/tram stop is Riviéra (check schedules at www.imhd.sk).
If arriving by car, parking is available at public parking lots nearby, or at the parking lot under the Lanfranconi bridge (1.4 km on foot). Please note that parking may be charged in several locations. Warning! Parking is not allowed in the Vodárenské múzeum area!
➡️ Schedule of the race day:
- 08:00 – 10:00 | Bib pickup
- 10:00 | Opening of changing rooms & bag drop
- 10:00 | Kids’ warm-up before the start (start corridor)
- 10:15 | Start of TURBO TV Kids’ Races (A – B – C)
- 10:45 | Couple’s photo contest under the RENAULT arch 📸❤️
- 10:50 | Line-up in corridors – pre-race announcements
- 11:00 | Start of 10 km race
- 11:10 | Start of 5 km race
- 11:15 | Awards ceremony for TURBO TV Kids’ Races (at start/finish arch)
- 12:30 | Awards ceremony for 5 km & 10 km races (at start/finish arch)
- 🎁 Tombola & Grand Prize Draw – Win amazing prizes from our partners, including:
- 🚗 Renault Symbioz for a week
- ⌚ Garmin 165 watch
➡️ Bib collection:
- Friday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Eurovea 2, inside the shopping center on the ground floor (near the skyscraper entrance)
- Saturday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: At the event area
We kindly ask Bratislava participants to collect their bibs on Friday if possible. If you are collecting a bib for someone else, simply bring the forwarded email confirmation of their registration.
➡️ Universal bib for series participants:
If you registered for the entire series, you received a universal bib at the St. Nicolas Edition. Use this bib for all subsequent races in the series. If you missed the first race, you can collect your universal bib during the presentation for your first event in the series.
For lost or damaged universal bibs, please contact us (registracia@becool.sk) well in advance of the next race for a replacement.
➡️ Start times:
- Kids’ races: From 10:15 AM (15 minutes earlier than last year’s start time)
- 10 km: 11:00 AM
- 5 km: 11:10 AM
➡️ Starting Corridors: Due to the high number of participants, the start will occur in three waves, with a 1-minute gap between each:
- Wave 1: 5 km under 27 min, 10 km under 49 min
- Wave 2: 5 km (27:01 – 32 min), 10 km (49:01 – 57 min)
- Wave 3: 5 km over 32 min, 10 km over 57:01 min
❗ Participation in the starting corridors is voluntary, but we kindly ask runners to line up according to their realistic performance levels. ❗
➡️ The start and finish of the race are located in the area Vodárenská záhrada, Vodárenské múzeum, which will also serve as the event’s main venue.
Race maps: 5 km & 10 km disciplines – maps are available HERE at www.bratislavamarathon.com in the section “Race Day – Site Map”.
Kid´s races – distances of 300 m, 600 m, or 800 m (depending on age) will take place within the Vodárenská záhrada. Some courses will extend outside the garden towards Devín (see map below).
➡️ Changing rooms and bag storage: Available near the registration area from 10:00 AM on Saturday.
➡️ Toilets: Mobile toilets will be available in the event area. Additionally, restrooms will be accessible inside the Vodárenské museum.
➡️ 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: Our shop will be available during the registration on Friday and Saturday, offering ČSOB Winter Series 2025 merchandise (buffs, headbands, T-shirts, socks, medal stands, etc.) and partner products.
➡️ 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 12:30 PM
- The prize raffle will take place after the announcement of the main category results, followed by the drawing of the winners for the Garmin 165 watch and the Renault Symbioz car for a week.
➡️ Competition for a Renault Symbioz for a week – how to participate?
- On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, we have prepared a competition for all running couples. Every couple that takes a photo with our photographer under the RENAULT arch (at 10:45 AM) will receive a bracelet to enter the draw for a new Renault Symbioz for the week.
- The draw will take place after the announcement of the main discipline results.
➡️ Competition for Garmin watches – how to participate?
- Anyone running 5 km or 10 km in a Valentine’s outfit (such as a red or pink T-shirt, a Cupid costume, a heart-themed headband, etc.) or wearing a T-shirt, buff, or headband from this year’s winter series can win a Garmin 165 watch!
- At the finish line, we will give you a raffle ticket. If we happen to miss you, please report to the medal distribution zone.
- Extra chance: If you purchase merchandise from the current winter series at our booth, you will receive an additional raffle ticket at the time of purchase.
🎉 Winner’s draw – Renault, Garmin
- After the announcement of the main race winners. The condition is that you must be present in person for the draw. If you do not claim your prize, we will draw another winner.
➡️ BILLA Cinema Ticket Contest – How to participate?
- Take a photo with BonVia Flora flowers at the special photo wall at the Valentine’s edition.
- Share your photo on your Instagram story and tag @billa_sk and @bratislavamarathon.
- On Sunday, February 16th, the event partner BILLA Slovakia will draw 10 lucky winners who will each receive 2 cinema tickets!
➡️ 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, 13th February and Sunday, 16th February 2025.
➡️ 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!
