The traditional international race walking meeting Poděbrady Walking will take place on the Spa Colonnade on May 8, 2026, but the organizers are already hard at work. Registration for athletes will also open in the coming days.
The history of race walking competitions in Poděbrady dates back to the nineteenth century. As for the meeting itself, this year we can look forward to its 94th edition. Once again, it is classified in the highest Gold category under the auspices of World Athletics. We can therefore expect Poděbrady to welcome top race walkers from all over the world. For the very first time, however, the main event will be the race walking half marathon, which has become the championship distance this season and will also be contested at major international competitions.
Many elite race walkers return to the Spa Colonnade, as it is renowned for its fast course. Two still-standing world records in the 35-kilometer distance were set here. Spain’s María Pérez achieved this three years ago, and Italy’s Massimo Stano did the same at last year’s European Race Walking Team Championships, which were held here three times in a row in 2021, 2023, and 2025. Previously, Poděbrady also hosted the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in 1997 and the European Race Walking Cup in 2017.
The meeting will once again include an international match as well as additional accompanying races, for which registration will open on February 1, 2026. Men, women, youth, and masters athletes will compete over 5 kilometers, while juniors will race over 10 kilometers.
