Britain’s fastest teacher and home stars Mäki and Zajíc to shine at KPMG Prague Night of PBs

Olympians Kristiina Sasínek Mäki and Simona Vrzalová, reigning Czech 5000m champion Martin Zajíc and British Championships 5000m runner-up Jack Kavanagh are the main stars of the KPMG Prague Night of PBs, a charity running event which will light up Prague’s Děkanka stadium for the third time on Thursday 14 May 2026. Elite mile and 5,000m races will be preceded by races for children and amateur runners. Admission to the stadium is free for spectators. 

The meet is now a Challenger in the World Athletics Continental Tour and has attracted not only a number of leading Czech competitors, but also a sizeable contingent of international participants from 12 countries, including the USA and Canada. “We are happy to have secured a deep field of runners, raising the bar compared to previous editions of the race. We trust that a great atmosphere will lead to great performances and that records will fall on Thursday,” says race director Štěpán Kačena.

The most watched Czech star will be the newly crowned national champion in the road mile, Kristiina Sasínek Mäki. The twelfth 1500m runner of the Tokyo Olympics will compete over the mile on Thursday. “Last year, I was a spectator at the KPMG Prague Night of PBs and the atmosphere was electric. I can't wait to experience it as a competitor. I like that it’s different than a typical meet. The spectators are closer to the track, it feels like home. I love that it's in Prague,” she says.

Since this will be her track season opener, Sasínek Mäki doesn't have a time goal. She will compete for the win against the likes of Ema Berková, the bronze medalist in the steeplechase at last year’s European Junior Championships. “I’d like to open my season with a time I’ll be happy with. I hope it won’t be as cold as it was in Poděbrady at the road mile championship. And if it is, the fireworks set up on the home stretch will definitely warm me up. That's another thing I’m really looking forward to,” says Kristiina Sasínek Mäki, referring to the traditional fiery backdrop that enhances the race atmosphere.

Martin Zajíc and Kristiina Sasínek Mäki

One of the highlights of the evening will undoubtedly be the men’s 5,000 metres, where an attempt will be made to challenge the Czech record (which stands at 13:24.99 and has been held for 46 years by Jiří Sýkora, one of the ambassadors of the event). This is the mark that Jack Kavanagh, the rising star of British long-distance running, needs to match or beat to meet the qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Games. “Jack must be the fastest improving athlete in history. In three years, he has shaved three minutes off his 5,000m time,” says coach Neil Danby. Kavanagh paused his teaching job last year to be a full-time runner, although he still volunteers at his school.

Czech hopes will rest on the reigning Czech champion in the event, Martin Zajíc, who managed to clock a time of 13:46.98 last year. “I want to put in my best effort and walk away with a win as well as a feeling of personal satisfaction. Training has been going well, so a PB may very well be on the cards,” says the Czech 10,000 metre record holder. With regard to the international competition, Zajíc says: “I’m glad the lads are coming to Prague. Good competition on the track makes the race – you won’t get far without high quality competition.” Unfortunately, there won’t be a domestic showdown with Jan Friš, who is out due to injury and will put his presenting skills in use at the event instead.

The women’s 5,000 metres will also feature a strong line-up. Czech runners Simona Vrzalová, Bára Stýblová, Anna Málková, Iva Gieselová, Barbora Lampová and Klára Mirvaldová will go head-to-head with Ukrainian champion Maryna Nemchenko, Spain’s Ambar Tomas and Canada’s Julia Hawkins. In the men’s mile, Ukrainian runner Dmitry Nikolaychuk and Irishman Colin Smith are aiming for a time under four minutes.

Proceeds to support youth and a running seminar planned for Friday

The ambition of the KPMG Prague Night of PBs extends far beyond the packed elite races, which will be accompanied by a fire and music show. The aim of the organisers from KPMG and Spartak Praha 4 is to create a unique atmosphere that will make track running accessible to amateur runners and children. The programme will begin at 5.30 pm with children’s races, followed by a 3,000m race open to all amateur runners and C and B 5,000m heats. Elite runners will take to the track at 8.30 pm. Following the example of London’s Night of the 10,000m PBs, fans will be encouraged to cheer everyone on from as close as lane four. 

The event also has a charitable dimension. All proceeds will support children’s athletics at Spartak Praha 4. Last year, this contribution amounted to over 100,000 Czech crowns. “Supporting sports and physical activity for children and young people is an investment in the future and in the values we share as a firm. I am delighted that we are succeeding in putting this idea into practice,” explains Milan Bláha, a partner at KPMG Czech Republic responsible for CSR.

The third annual KPMG Prague Night of PBs will conclude on Friday morning with a specialist seminar for coaches and active runners. Its guests will be coach Neil Danby, who, as a former Olympian, brings more than 40 years of experience in elite sport, and his athlete Jack Kavanagh.