Tower Running UK

Ondřej Tesař secured a third Men’s Open title at the Krnovsky Run Up in the Czech Republic.

The Mikolajice runner took victory in the final run in a time of 56.44.

It was the sixth edition of the 218-step stair race at Cvilinske schody in Krnov, Czech Republic.

The unique and exciting race format began with a qualifier to find the fastest 16 men and women. This was followed by quarters, semis and a grand final to determine the overall winners.

Tesař, who had finished third in 2018-19 before back-to-back wins in 2020-21, was hotly tipped to defend his title. It turned out to be one of the slowest finals in recent years with only Tesař managing to finish in under a minute.

He was followed in the final by Marian Böhm in 1:02.36, while Petr Lisník secured third spot for the second year in a row, reaching the top in 01:04.05. Robin Dorotík was fourth in 01:06.80.

Watch the finish in the video below.

Ondřej Tesař defended his Men’s Open title at the Krnovsky Run Up in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

The Mikolajice athlete took victory in the final run in a personal best time of 55.83.

It was the fifth edition of the 218-step stair race at Cvilinske schody in Krnov, Czech Republic.

The unique and exciting race format began with a qualifier to find the fastest 16 men and women. This was followed by quarters, semis and a grand final to determine the overall winners.

Tesař, who had finished third in 2018-19 before his win last year, was the pre-race favourite heading into Saturday’s event.

In contrast to his winning run to the title in 2020, Tesař took a slower route to the final this time around, never finishing faster than 1:10 in the qualifier, quarter-final or semi-final runs.

But he was evidently keeping his powder dry, as he exploded to victory in the final with his fastest time in four years.

He was followed by Jan Keclík in 59.74, while Petr Lisník improved on his fourth place finish last year, taking third in 1:01.

Pobutová takes the win in close women’s final

Eliška Pobutová claimed victory in an exciting Women’s Open final that saw just three seconds separate the four finalists.

She got out in front of her rivals and held the lead to cross the line in 1:29.64. Behind her, the remaining three finalists put on a brilliant show for second spot.

Eliška Fackenbergová (above in black) looked all set to take second place as the runners neared the finish, but faded in the final metres and was caught on the line by Monika Horáková (1:32.25) and Viktorie Olekšová (1:32.51). Fackenbergová finished fourth in 1:32.63.

Videos and images courtesy of Cvilínské schody. See full Krnovsky Run Up 2021 race results and more race day photos.

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