Košice Peace Half Marathon 2027 – Slovakia

What to expect in 2027

Košice Peace Half Marathon 2027 is expected to return to Košice, Slovakia, as part of the Košice Marathon Events programme. The event is planned for May 2027 (Dates TBD), with the final competition date and detailed 2027 instructions still to be announced by the organiser.

The event is designed as a city road-running competition with several distances, making it suitable for experienced half-marathon runners as well as participants who prefer shorter challenges. The established programme includes the main Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and Mini Marathon.

The main attraction is the Half Marathon, covering 21.098 kilometres through central Košice. The Quarter Marathon covers 10.549 kilometres, while the Mini Marathon covers 4.2 kilometres. The routes begin and finish in the historic central area of the city, giving runners a course surrounded by Košice’s streets, landmarks and urban atmosphere.

The 2027 edition is expected to retain the event’s established combination of competitive racing, recreational participation, age-category results, pacemakers, refreshment stations, medical support and a central start and finish.

Match/event dates

The event is scheduled for May 2027 (Dates TBD).

The organiser has not yet published the final 2027 race date, start timetable or complete competitor instructions. For this reason, visitors should not rely on a specific day until the official KPHM 2027 announcement is released.

The event normally takes place as a single race-day programme, with the different running disciplines starting separately or in coordinated waves. Registration, bib collection and other participant services are generally arranged around the race programme.

The 2027 schedule should eventually provide information about registration deadlines, bib collection, start procedures, course access, race categories and post-race arrangements.

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Stadium & sports venue

Košice Peace Half Marathon does not use a conventional stadium as its main competition venue. The race takes place on public roads through central Košice, with the start and finish traditionally located on Hlavná Street near the Immaculata area.

The course is therefore integrated into the city itself. Runners pass through central streets and areas connected with Košice’s historic and university districts before returning toward the finish.

The established Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon course uses a circuit-based design. The Half Marathon runners complete two rounds, while Quarter Marathon participants complete one round. The Mini Marathon follows a shorter route.

The central location is also convenient for spectators because much of the event atmosphere can be experienced without travelling to a distant sports complex.

Full fixture or event schedule

Košice Peace Half Marathon is not divided into football-style fixtures or matches. Instead, the programme consists of several running disciplines and associated participant services.

The established competition structure includes:

• Half Marathon – 21.098 km
• Quarter Marathon – 10.549 km
• Mini Marathon – 4.2 km
• Runner registration and administration
• Bib and race-material collection
• Starting-sector preparation
• Pacemaker support for the Half Marathon
• Refreshment stations
• Medical assistance
• Finish-area services
• Results and classification
• Prize and award procedures

The official 2026 instructions show that the Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon share the main course, while the Mini Marathon uses a shorter route through central Košice.

The final 2027 schedule will determine the precise sequence of activities, including registration services and start arrangements.

Teams, athletes & participants

The event is an individual road-running competition rather than a team tournament. Participants compete in men’s and women’s classifications and, depending on the discipline, age categories.

The Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon are intended for runners who meet the organiser’s minimum age requirements. In the latest published regulations, the Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon had a minimum age of 16, while the Mini Marathon had no general age restriction. Younger children participating in the Mini Marathon had to be accompanied by an adult participant under the published rules.

The field can include recreational runners, club athletes, experienced distance runners and participants using the race as part of their wider running season.

Pacemakers are also an important feature of the Half Marathon. The latest published instructions listed pace groups targeting finishing times of 1:25, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00 and 2:15, providing runners with a practical way to maintain a planned race pace.

The final 2027 participant list will become available through the organiser’s registration and results systems.

Tournament format & competition structure

The competition is organised around three principal running distances rather than a knockout or league format.

The Half Marathon covers 21.098 kilometres and uses two laps of the main course. The Quarter Marathon covers 10.549 kilometres and uses one lap. The Mini Marathon is 4.2 kilometres and follows its own shorter route.

Runners are classified according to their finishing performances. The event also provides age-category classifications for eligible disciplines.

The established Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon categories include men’s and women’s classifications, with age groups such as M40/Z40, M50/Z50, M60/Z60 and M70/Z70 under the latest published regulations. The exact 2027 categories should be checked once the new regulations are released.

The event follows applicable athletics regulations, including World Athletics competition rules and the Slovak Athletics Association competition regulations, together with the specific KPHM regulations issued by the organiser.

Match/event times

The exact 2027 start times have not yet been announced.

The latest published race instructions provide a useful indication of the established format, with the Mini Marathon starting separately shortly before the Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon. The organiser reserves the right to modify the starting schedule if necessary.

Runners should arrive at the start area well before their assigned start because the central streets can become busy with participants, spectators, officials and event infrastructure.

The final 2027 instructions should also specify when runners need to enter their starting sectors, where equipment can be deposited and when access to parts of the course will be restricted.

Ticket types

Košice Peace Half Marathon uses participant registration rather than conventional spectator tickets. Runners pay an entry fee for the discipline in which they want to compete.

The 2027 registration prices have not yet been announced. As a reference, the latest published entry fees for the previous edition were:

• Half Marathon: $29
• Quarter Marathon: $29
• Mini Marathon: $16

These amounts are converted from the organiser’s published previous-edition prices using an ECB reference rate of approximately €1 = $1.149.

The previous edition also offered an earlier Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon rate equivalent to approximately $29, compared with approximately $34 at the later standard rate. The organiser also provided a special reduced rate for eligible participants connected with the wider Košice Marathon programme.

These are reference prices only and should not be treated as confirmed 2027 fees.

Ticket release phases

The event does not operate with stadium ticket-release phases in the same way as a spectator sports match. Instead, registration opens online and participants select their preferred discipline.

The latest registration system provides online entry through the organiser’s registration platform, with payment handled as part of the registration process where an entry fee applies.

Previous registration structures have used different pricing periods, meaning registering earlier can provide access to a lower entry fee than later registration. The organiser may also introduce special codes or benefits connected with other Košice Marathon Events.

For 2027, runners should wait for the official registration announcement for the opening date, pricing deadlines, participation limits and any available discounts.

VIP & hospitality options

Košice Peace Half Marathon is primarily a participation-focused road race rather than a hospitality-driven spectator event. As a result, the organiser’s main offering centres on race registration and participant services.

There is no confirmed 2027 VIP hospitality package currently published. Participants can instead expect race infrastructure such as bib collection, changing facilities, baggage deposit, refreshment stations, medical assistance and finish-area services based on the established event format.

The previous event also offered a welcome-bag concept designed around practical participant benefits, digital information, partner offers and race-related services.

Any premium participant packages, partner benefits or hospitality options for 2027 should be confirmed through the official event website.

Stadium & event rules

Participants must comply with the event regulations and instructions issued by the organiser. The race is conducted according to World Athletics rules, Slovak Athletics Association competition regulations and the specific KPHM regulations.

The latest published rules specify that participants compete at their own responsibility and that the organiser does not provide personal insurance covering medical, accident, liability or travel-related risks.

The previous regulations also established a 2-hour-45-minute maximum time for the Half Marathon. The organiser could close the course progressively to allow normal traffic to resume.

Participants should follow instructions from race officials, remain on the designated course and use refreshment stations responsibly. The organiser specifically asks runners to dispose of cups and bottles away from the running line to reduce hazards for other competitors.

How to get there

Košice is the second-largest city in Slovakia and an important transport hub in eastern Slovakia. The city can be reached by train, long-distance bus and road connections from other Slovak and Central European destinations.

For international visitors, Košice International Airport provides air access to the region. Travellers can then continue toward the city centre using local transport, taxi services or other transfers.

Because the race takes place in the centre of Košice, staying near the historic centre can make race-day logistics considerably simpler. Participants staying farther away should allow extra time for road restrictions and changes to public transport caused by the race.

Visitors arriving by car should check race-weekend traffic announcements because roads around the course may be temporarily restricted.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is a practical option for reaching central Košice. The city has tram, bus and other urban transport connections serving the central area.

Since the race uses central streets, driving directly to the start area may be less convenient than usual. Road closures, temporary restrictions and pedestrian zones can affect access around Hlavná Street.

Participants travelling by car should consider parking outside the immediate race zone and continuing on foot or by public transport.

The exact 2027 traffic and parking arrangements should be checked once the organiser publishes its final runner instructions.

Accommodation areas

Central Košice is one of the most convenient areas for runners because the event’s start and finish are located in the historic city centre.

Accommodation around Hlavná Street, the Old Town and the wider central district can reduce the amount of travel required on race day. It also places visitors close to restaurants, cafés, attractions and public transport.

Other parts of Košice can work well for visitors who prefer quieter accommodation or need specific hotel facilities. However, runners should consider the distance to the starting area and allow additional time for race-related road restrictions.

Booking early can be useful because May is a popular period for city breaks and sporting events.

Food & drink at the venue

Food and drink are primarily provided through race support rather than a traditional stadium concession system.

The established course includes refreshment stations where runners can obtain water and, at designated stations, an isotonic drink. The latest instructions identify refreshment points around the course, including locations on Zimná, Moyzesova and Hlavná streets.

Participants should follow the hydration strategy recommended by the race organisers and adapt their intake to weather conditions.

After the race, central Košice provides a broad selection of cafés, restaurants, bakeries and other food outlets. Staying in the centre therefore gives runners plenty of options for a post-race meal.

Accessibility

Accessibility arrangements for the 2027 edition have not yet been fully published. Participants with mobility, medical or other accessibility requirements should contact the organiser before registration or travel.

Because the race takes place on city streets, accessibility conditions can vary depending on the exact section of the course, pedestrian surfaces and temporary event infrastructure.

The organiser’s established race setup includes medical assistance around the start and finish and at selected refreshment locations. The latest instructions also provide portable toilets around the race area and at refreshment points.

Participants should check the final 2027 instructions for specific accessibility information, medical arrangements and facilities.

Best matches/events to attend

The main Half Marathon is the central event for runners seeking the full-distance KPHM experience. Its 21.098-kilometre course provides the longest competitive challenge and uses two circuits of the principal route.

The Quarter Marathon is a useful alternative for participants who want to experience the central Košice course without completing the full Half Marathon distance. Its 10.549-kilometre route corresponds to one main circuit.

The Mini Marathon provides the shortest option at 4.2 kilometres and is designed to make participation more accessible to a wider range of runners.

For spectators, the central sections around Hlavná Street provide an opportunity to experience the start and finish atmosphere. Areas along the main course can also offer good opportunities to watch runners without needing to travel far across the city.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition continued the established KPHM format with three running disciplines: Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and Mini Marathon. The Half Marathon covered 21.098 kilometres, the Quarter Marathon 10.549 kilometres and the Mini Marathon 4.2 kilometres.

The main course was designed around two circuits, allowing Half Marathon runners to complete two laps and Quarter Marathon runners to complete one. The start and finish were positioned in the pedestrian area of Hlavná Street near Immaculata.

One notable feature was the pacemaker programme. The organiser provided pacers targeting several finishing times, including 1:25, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00 and 2:15, helping runners maintain a consistent rhythm.

The race also provided organised medical support, toilets and multiple refreshment stations. Water was available at the refreshment points, while isotonic drink was provided at selected stations during the second lap.

The previous registration structure offered different entry levels depending on when participants registered, with the Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon having a lower early fee and higher later fee. The Mini Marathon also had its own lower entry level.

The organiser additionally promoted a digital and practical Welcome Bag concept, including participant information and partner benefits, reflecting an effort to make the race experience broader than the running competition itself.

Official tickets

Košice Peace Half Marathon does not use conventional spectator tickets. Participants enter the event through the organiser’s official online registration system.

For 2027, the registration information, entry fees, participation limits and final competition regulations should be checked through the official Košice Marathon website when released.

The official event page is:

Košice Peace Half Marathon Official Website (https://www.kosicemarathon.com/kphm/)

The official registration platform is also used by the organiser for event entries and results.

Visitors should use the official registration system rather than unofficial ticket or resale websites, particularly because the event is based on individual runner registration and participant identification.