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ARCHIRUN 2023

Iconic buildings, but not the way you know them. The first ever architectural race - ARCHIRUN 2023 - is here.

A boiler room which looks like a pyramid, a bunker in Smichov made to hold money, a facade of glass televisions, or a levitating house. Come to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most renowned Czech architects, Karel Prager. You will visit places which are not usually accessible, and you will get to know other enthusiasts who like running through the city with their eyes fixed on the buildings around them. Run, jog, walk. Archirun is for everyone, whether you already run 10k in an hour or your heart rate increases from a brisk walk up the stairs. The route, which we have planned for about seven kilometers, can be completed by everyone.

INFORMATION FOR RUNNERS

  • The start takes place in waves of 15 runners every 5 minutes at the CAMP neon sign.
  • You can find out your starting time on your GoOut ticket. The first wave commences at 9.00 a.m.
  • You can register from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. the day before the race with our custodians at the CAMP info point and on the day of the race from 8.00 a.m. at the registration point on the first floor of CAMP. You will receive a number and t-shirt upon registration. We recommend that you arrive for registration 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time listed on your race ticket.
  • In CAMP you will find toilets, refreshments, changing rooms and a cloak room, which is open until 4.00 p.m.
  • There is an interpreter available to you during the day to translate into Czech sign language.
  • We will run through the city with the normal weekend road traffic and hustle and bustle. Please be mindful of your safety and the safety of other event participants. We will not be closing streets for the run; the route is only marked at select locations. You can recognize the individual checkpoints by a black flag with the word RUN on it. Don't forget to download the race route.
  • Do you have any questions about the route? The accompanying program? Call us and we will be happy to advise you. CAMP +420 770 141 547

CHECKPOINTS ALONG THE ROUTE

1/ CAMP / Association of Project Studios

The run begins and ends in the building of the Association of Design Studios, the current headquarters of IPR Prague and the Centre for Architecture and Urban Planning. The somewhat unusual grouping of buildings floating above the ground in the former garden of Emmaus Abbey was originally intended to serve as the headquarters of several studios that were established before the Normalization period and were led by the most renowned architects of the time. Apart from Prager, Vera and Vladimir Machonin (Kotva, DBK) or Karel Filsak (Intercontinental Hotel), to name just a few. During the Normalization period, the building became the headquarters of the Project Institute of Construction of the Capital City of Prague. To some extent, Prager became a persona non grata and worked there in a kind of exile. This was partly due to his attitudes, as evidenced, for example, by his intention to erect a memorial to Jan Palach right in front of the Parliament (Federal Assembly Building). Thanks to his abilities, however, he was allowed to continue working in his profession.

  • entrance from Vyšehradská Street
  • registration, accompanying program

2/ Central boiler room of the General University Hospital

The first stop after the start is the central boiler room of the General University Hospital at Karlov. The thoroughly hidden building, which is passed by tens of thousands of people driving along the main road every day, is one of Karel Prager's least known projects. Completed in 1993, it was the only artefact of the originally intended extension of the University Hospital. A modern modular hospital was planned to be built opposite U Apolináře, the Country Maternity Ward, and the boiler room behind the urology clinic was intended to be part of this vision. The purely technical building, clad in ceramic tiles and lined with a deep red supporting structure, draws attention with its four chimneys.

  • entrance through the gate from Wenzigova Street (2083/1)

3/ Federal Assembly

The building of one of the chambers of parliament of the socialist era, practically a house above a house, was built in parallel with the premises of the Association of Design Studios and resulted from an architectural competition. The Magistrala highway now throttles it from both sides, but the original intention was to place both streams of this unwelcoming thoroughfare behind the museum and parliament building. Prager fulfilled the assignment to preserve the heritage-listed stock exchange building, which is located under the steel structure and is different from it at first glance. On the corner closest to Wenceslas Square, Prager and Miloslav Chlupáč intended a memorial to Jan Palach called The Flame. However, and perhaps not surprisingly, officials banned it in the 1970s. Its unfinished torso, a thirty-metre steel column, stood in place for forty years, and it was not until 2020 that a statue by Antonín Kašpar appeared, responding to the legacy of the authors and the deed of Jan Palach. Whether you like it or not, its design is a real feat of engineering.

  • Entrance through the side entrance from the main street (via the Burza)

4/ New stage of the National Theatre

At the end of Národní Avenue stands a mysterious building, which celebrates 40 years since its completion this year. It is the iconic Nová Scéna (New Stage), which was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the reopening of the National Theatre. The building is an absolutely unique example of both period architecture and Prager's genius. Originally, the building was to have been realized by architect Bohuslav Fuchs, but he died unexpectedly. Karel Prager was then invited to carry out the project, among other reasons, because he was the only one who did not question the feasibility of meeting the completion deadline. The handmade glass panelling was originally supposed to be illuminated, but this did not materialise. Thus, it serves only as the perfect insulation from the bustle of the street and gives the building an unmistakable mysterious expression similar to brutalist buildings despite its fragility. This is not brutalism, however, with its dislike of ornamentation: the glass-clad steel structure hovering above the piazzetta resembles more than anything else a glass chandelier.

  • Entrance through the main entrance to the building from Národní Street (1393/4), then up the stairs towards the NONA café

5/ Komerční banka

Is it a bunker or a temple? The bank building in Smíchov is the only realised work from Karel Prager's otherwise extensive vision for the area. The redevelopment of Smíchov, which he planned, was intended to turn this district into a modern neighbourhood with wide boulevards and modernist buildings. After the revolution, however, only the bank was built, but has since been given several unflattering nicknames, and like many of Prager's buildings, it is still perceived with distance by some members of the public. The building is currently inaccessible to visitors and, like other stops, is a place where a large number of racers may never have been inside.

  • Entrance to the building through the main entrance from Štefánikova Street (267/22)

CAMP / Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague (1974)

Central Boiler Room of the General University Hospital (1993)

Federal Assembly / National Museum (1973)

The New Stage of the National Theatre (1983)

Komerční banka building (1992)

01/13

PROGRAM

14.00–15.00 GUIDED TOUR

Association of design studios

The black glass buildings have been floating near Emmaus Monastery, without ever having moved away from their original purpose, for almost 50 years. What is their history? Why do they need renovation? And did you know that there were initially supposed to be four of them? The guided tour will take you not just to the buildings that now house IPR Prague but also to the brutalist tower of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will also look into the gardens of the Emmaus Monastery and take a peek into the local brewery cellars. Meet at the CAMP info point. Limited capacity.

10.00-15.00 SCREEN PRINTING WORKSHOP

Recycle and print

Upgrade your running t-shirt or bring a canvas bag, sweatshirt or other item of clothing to bring it to life with silkscreen printing. In collaboration with the creative center Vzletná, we have put together a workshop on this printing technique. You will have several motifs available to choose from Prager buildings. The workshop is suitable for adults and children aged 6 and up. You can come at any time within the specified time range. Register at GoOut.

10.00-15.00 SPRAYING WORKSHOP

Cubes or Bunker?

Prager's buildings have different nicknames thanks to their unusual shapes, resembling, for example, mushrooms or a giant standing on two legs. During the workshop, children will choose stencils of buildings according to the shapes that catch their eye and use them to spray paint their own posters. The workshop is designed for children aged 8 to 14. You can come at any time within the time frame. Register at GoOut.

11.00-15.00 BLUEPRINTING WORKSHOP

A postcard for Karel

Want to try out a rare photographic technique? In cooperation with the creative center Vzletná, we have prepared a workshop on blueprinting, or cyanotype, an old analogue photographic method characterized by its deep blue color. And how does blueprinting relate to architecture? This technique, discovered just three years after the invention of photography, was often used to duplicate construction drawings. You can use photographs of Prager's architecture to create a postcard or a bookmark. The workshop is suitable for adults and children aged 6 and up. You can come at any time during the specified time range. Register at GoOut

13.00-15.00 SPRAY PAINTING WORKSHOP

Architag

We have a blank wall behind CAMP. It needs to be brought to life! Come and join us for this artistic intervention. The artist Epos 257 will show the children the technique of spray painting on the wall and guide them through the entire process, from sketching to execution. This workshop is for children aged 10 to 18. The capacity is 15 people. The meeting time is at 13.00 at the CAMP Neon. Registration on GoOut.

RULES AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1/ The start and finish of the run is in front of CAMP at Vyšehradská 51. Details of the route will be sent to the runners and posted on the website www.praha.camp/archirun sometime during July. The route is 7—8 km long.

2/ We will run in waves of 15 runners, leaving every 5 minutes from 9.00 am. You can choose which wave you want to run with.

3/ A recommended route is provided as part of registration; however, no one will prevent you from choosing your own. To complete the run, you have to stop at at least 5 checkpoints. You will get a stamp at each of them.

4/ Try to stretch and sweat, but don't feel the need to break any records. We will run through the city during the standard weekend traffic and activity. That is one of the reasons we won't time your run. We will appreciate it, though, if you decide to share your run, for example, in Strava.

5/ Starting fee is 350 Kc.

6/ Starting fee includes:

  • a limited Archirun 2023 edition t-shirt
  • a starting number name on the starting number
  • a medal refreshments at the finish
  • a photo and a certificate free to download

7/ Participants can pick up their start packets the day before the race (the location will be specified in the regulations of each race) and on the day of the race in the start and finish area, in CAMP.

8/ Each competitor declares that they participate voluntarily and at their own risk (and are therefore responsible for all and any consequences arising therefrom) and are medically fit and in such physical condition that they can complete the race without difficulty.

9/ When completing the race, the participant is obliged to follow the instructions of the organizers and other persons who cooperate with the organizer in the course of the event and must behave in such a way as not to endanger their own or anyone else's health, life or property.

10/ The organizer of the race provides storage of belongings and a changing room. However, please leave your valuables at home, we are not responsible for private property left on the premises.

11/ Race is for adults and kids over 15 years. They have to pay the starting fee. Younger racers can enter the run accompanied by their parents (they run for free)

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