Where to stay for the Košice Peace Marathon

For the Košice Peace Marathon, stay within walking distance of Hlavná Street, where the start and finish zone is built — the Old Town or its quieter edge are ideal. The race is held every year in early October; the 2026 edition is on Sunday 4 October 2026. Book as early as you can, because central accommodation fills up for race weekend.

The race in brief

The Medzinárodný maratón mieru (International Peace Marathon) is the oldest marathon in Europe. Its first edition was held on 28 October 1924, when eight runners lined up after local organiser Vojtech Braun Bukovský came home inspired by the Paris Olympic marathon. In 2020 the race received a World Athletics Heritage Plaque, and the 2026 race is the 103rd edition.

• When: early October each year. 2026: Sunday 4 October. The 2027 date had not been published when we checked — see kosicemarathon.com.
• Disciplines: marathon, Volvo Half Marathon, a four-person marathon relay, handbike and inline (both 20 km).
• 2026 start times: handbike and inline 8:45, marathon and relay 9:00, half marathon from 10:30 in waves.
• Time limit: six hours for the marathon.
• Course: a flat, fully asphalted city loop — two laps for the marathon, one for the half — with WA and AIMS certification.

Where are the start and finish?

All disciplines start in the start/finish zone on Hlavná Street, between the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel and the Dargov department store at the southern end of the Old Town. The marathon, half marathon and relay finish in the same place (handbikes finish on Námestie Maratónu mieru). Bib collection and the race expo are at Kasárne Kulturpark on Kukučínova Street on the Friday and Saturday before the race.

Booking advice

• Book early. Race weekend brings thousands of runners and supporters into a compact centre, so the closest places go first.
• Arrive by Saturday. You need to collect your bib in person at the expo (Friday or Saturday in 2026), with your start acceptance and ID.
• Think about race-day traffic. Roads around the course close, and DPMK suspends or diverts many tram and bus lines — in 2026 from 7:00 to 15:30. Staying within walking distance takes transport out of the equation.
• Drivers: arrive the day before and leave the car where you are staying. Central A1/A2 parking is charged Monday to Saturday; see our parking guide.
• Plan recovery. A quiet bedroom the night before and somewhere to soak your legs afterwards are worth more than a view of the start line.

Host tips for race weekend

From our own experience of hosting runners (tips, not official advice):

• Walk to the start — it is a pleasant warm-up and avoids the closures.
• After the race, short Bolt rides around the centre typically cost about €3, if the roads you need are open again. Shared e-scooters (Bolt, Antik SmartWay) also operate in the city — but perhaps not on marathon legs.
• The bus stop Pošta 2 is about 50 m from our door (lines 17 and 19), but check DPMK’s race-day changes before relying on it.