The men's race defended last year's victory. For German pedestrian Christopher Linke, Podebrady is a popular destination, literally, its living room, and in Podebrady it has basically gained a "home right". Podebrady Walking has already won three times in 2015, 2017 and 2018, in 2016 it finished in second place. During his triumph two years ago, he also set a valid personal record of 1:18:59. In the same season, he did not find a winner in this Central Bohemian spa town even during the European Walking Cup. The fifth man from the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships will be one of the biggest favorites this year as well.

In photo Christopher Link, as the winner of last year's race! 

However, he will have a strong challenger in the Russian independent competitor Vasily Mizinov, who hung a bronze medal around his neck at last year's European Championships in Berlin and this year set an excellent personal record of 1:18:32 in Sochi. The silver medalist from the 2009 World Cup and the sixth from the London Olympics, Eder Sanchez, will want to sell his rich experience.

The biggest attraction for the Czech spectator will certainly be the women's race, where the biggest domestic hope will be the silver medalist from the European Championships in Berlin and the Czech record holder Anežka Drahotová. Coach Ivo Piták's trustee managed to win in Poděbrady in 2014. Last year she finished fifth and this year she would like to improve her position. Anežka has already had two starts this year. She completed the first one in Lugano, where she finished third in 1:34:27, which is a performance that secured her participation in the World Championships in Doha. In Dudince, she finished fifth. "I am glad that such a high-quality walking race is taking place in our territory. Podebrady always has a great level. I can't fully estimate my form, because we are preparing mainly for the Olympic Games, which take place in 2020, but I'm always looking forward to Poděbrady, " she said.

In photo Anežka Drahotová, Czech walking megastar! 

His opponents are more than good. The biggest one will probably be the defender of last year's championship, Eleanora Giorgio from Italy, who dominated the new record of the 1:28:49 meeting last year. Another top competitor is Lithuanian Živilé Vaiciukevičiuteová, who has, for example, bronze from the European Under-22 Championships in her collection. Last year she was fifth at the European Championships in Berlin and in Poděbrady she finished just below the podium and ahead of Anežka Drahotová. Among the non-European competitors is Mirna Ortizová from Guatemala.

Rich accompanying program at the Spa Colonnade

An interesting accompanying program is also prepared for the visitors of the meeting. As part of the new project of the Czech Athletic Association, Physical Literacy with the Czech Athletic Association awaits them for the whole family. Athletics for children, where children can try out various athletic disciplines under the supervision of Atík's mascot and they will be rewarded with small prizes. The Athletics for the Whole Family project will also include family teams, or fans will be able to try out racing with an experienced coach.

The racing program of the 87th Poděbrady Walking meeting will start on Saturday, April 6 at 9:30 am with a youth and veteran race and will culminate at 15:30 with a men's race.