Jesenický Maraton

The Jesenický maraton is a demanding mountain race in the Hrubý Jeseník range of the Czech Republic, offering both a full marathon and a half marathon. Established in 2009, it emphasizes climbing over speed. The marathon covers 42 km with 1,780 m of elevation gain, and the half marathon is approximately 22 km with 730 m of gain. The full marathon begins at the Ramzová ski area, situated 800 m above sea level near the Polish border. The half marathon starts higher, at Červenohorské sedlo, a ski area at 1,013 m. The marathon course ascends to Praděd, the Hrubý Jeseník range's highest peak at 1,491 m, before descending to finish at the Skřítek saddle (877 m), where both distances conclude. The race contends with mountain weather; organizers note the route remains consistent on paper but varies with conditions like sun, cloud, rain, or extreme heat, altering the running surface. Participants return for the challenging, climb-focused course and the opportunity to traverse some of Moravia and Silesia's highest terrain. Recent events have seen several hundred runners in the half marathon and a smaller, dedicated group in the full marathon, creating a significant mountain event atmosphere without the scale of a large city race.