Dear running friends,
this Saturday the Grand Prix powered by Telekom night run series continues in the beautiful setting of Donovaly. A unique night-time atmosphere awaits you there, along with plenty of supporting activities from our partners. ⛰️
Besides great running memories, you can also take home great prizes – for example a voucher for running shoes from Telekom or new tech from Samsung! 👟📱
You'll find all the important information below in the organisational instructions. Get plenty of rest, get your trainers ready and prepare for an unforgettable night-time atmosphere! 🏔️✨
We're looking forward to seeing you!
Organisational information for Saturday's event:
➡️ Race date and venue: Saturday 25 July, Donovaly central car park
➡️ Check-in (bib pick-up), registration of new runners:
• Thursday 23 July: MEC (Magenta Experience Center) Eurovea – from 14:30 to 18:00 (New this year!)
• Saturday 25 July: at the event base, in the registration tent at the central car park, from 10:00 to 18:00.
When picking up your bib, show the QR code you'll receive by email (the check-in pass). You can also pick up bibs for family and friends – they just need to forward you their check-in pass.
Participants who bought the entry package for all three Grand Prix events: you don't need to register again. Before each race, just collect the new bib for that event.
New registrations on site will only be possible if the participant limit has not been reached (this also applies to the children's races). Registrations can be transferred to another runner on site for a fee of €5.
➡️ Parking and getting there: parking options (see the map below the text):
• P1 – central car park (limited capacity, as it is also the event base)
• P2 – car park by the cable car below Nová hoľa (charged)
• P3 – cannot be used
When parking in other free areas, please follow the rules strictly. Don't park directly on the race route so you don't obstruct the runners – or yourself.
⚠️ Road closures and allowing extra time: Before travelling to Donovaly, we recommend checking the traffic situation and allowing plenty of extra time for possible delays from both directions (Banská Bystrica and Ružomberok). Access to and from Donovaly will be significantly restricted during the evening races – roads on the course close from 19:30 until at least 21:00 (restrictions will last until about 21:30).
🛑 IMPORTANT NOTE ON LEAVING: For the safety of runners still on the course, please don't leave your parking space before 21:10 (the only exception is the central car park). If anything is unclear, ask the organisers on site, who will be happy to help.
➡️ Start location and times: The start/finish is at the Donovaly central car park:
• 17:00 – Turbo TV children's races (300 m, 600 m, 800 m)
• 18:00 – #rešpekt run charity run (800 m)
• 20:00 – 10 km
• 20:10 – 5 km
➡️ Changing rooms and bag storage: Changing rooms and bag storage will be near check-in.
Tip! So that your backpack or bag can be found and handed back quickly after the finish, we recommend marking it clearly (especially black bags/backpacks), for example with a coloured ribbon or scarf. Our colleagues will be able to find it faster based on your description, so you can get changed sooner :)
➡️ Course: Maps for the 5 km and 10 km are published at www.bratislavamarathon.sk under Race day – Venue map.
➡️ Refreshments on the course and at the finish, medal: There will be a water station at about 4.5 km on the 10 km course.
At the finish you can refresh yourself with Mattoni water, the non-alcoholic Cool drink (for adults) and refreshments from BILLA Slovakia. Every runner will receive a finisher's medal at the finish.
Keeping the course clean: Let's respect the nature that gives us such a beautiful setting for running. All rubbish – from gel wrappers to empty cups – belongs in the marked bins at the water station or at the finish. Throwing away rubbish outside these zones is prohibited. Let's show we're fair runners and leave no trace.
➡️ Music zones on the course: New! This year you can look forward to several music zones right on the course to make your run more enjoyable and give you energy. Folk musicians will also help create a great atmosphere.
➡️ Photos: Event photos are provided by the professional photo service GetPica. After the event, participants who agreed to photography when registering will receive a link to their personal photos at the email address given in the registration.
Don't cover your bib with another layer of clothing so your photos can be matched to you. If you like the photos, you can buy them individually or as a discounted set.
If you're not sure whether you agreed to receive photos when registering, keep your bib – it has a unique code that gives you access to your photos at www.getpica.com.
➡️ Event merchandise shop: As usual, our shop will be open at registration. You'll find accessories in the event design and other goods from the e-shop shop.becool.sk
➡️ Raffle: After the awards for the main categories, prizes from our event partners will be drawn on stage. Participants in the 5 km and 10 km are entered into the raffle. Winners will be drawn by bib number – it's worth staying until the end!
➡️ Full event programme, Saturday 25 July 2026:
• 10:00 – 18:00 Participant check-in
• 10:00 Event partner activities (event area)
• 16:40 Warm-up before the children's races (in the start area)
• 17:00 Start of the Turbo TV children's races
• 17:25 Children's races awards ceremony
• 18:00 Start of the #rešpekt run charity discipline for adults and children
• 19:30 10 km start corridor opens
• 19:37 Official speeches
• 20:00 Start of the 10 km
• 19:50 5 km start corridor opens
• 20:10 Start of the 5 km + Nordic walking
• 21:15 Awards ceremony and raffle draw by bib
• number. Prize draw for the Telekom zone activities: the “Jump for your trainers” contest + Samsung products for your old phone.
• 21:30 After party at Hotel Residence
➡️ #rešpekt run – 800 m charity discipline
#rešpekt run is an 800 m discipline that you can run or walk for a good cause. The entire entry fee (€5, €10 or €15) goes to the organisation Detská chirurgia – OZ slniečko na ceste!, which helps children with various illnesses and children who have suffered accidents and serious injuries. Every participant will receive a finisher's medal.
➡️ Partner activities:
At the stand of Slovak Telekom, the general partner of the Grand Prix powered by Telekom night run series, a great programme awaits you from 12:00. Come and have fun, recharge your batteries and take advantage of great perks:
• Telekom benefits: discover the exclusive offer of perks.
• “Jump for your trainers” contest: take part and win a €100 voucher for new trainers.
• Eco contest – hand in your old phone for recycling (a classic button phone or a smartphone) and play for great prizes from Samsung.
• Relax and unwind: take a break in the chill-out zone and enjoy delicious Tatra coffee.
And that's not all! A running DJ will keep you at the right pace right on the course.
At the Niambo stand you can enjoy a professional massage for tired legs and buy warming or cooling massage creams that aren't just for athletes.
Also stop by the Dr. Max stand, where you can learn interesting things about your health and overall fitness.
And don't forget to check out our special start list at the event base, traditionally displayed on a model car from the car partner of our running events – Renault Slovakia.
