Telegrafia Running for Peace at the Košice Marathon

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A City That Runs: The Košice Marathon Through the Eyes of Our Colleagues

The first Sunday of October always brings a special atmosphere to Košice. Streets close to traffic, the city feels different, and people line the sidewalks waving banners, cheering, and blowing horns — encouraging even complete strangers. And right in the middle of this sea of enthusiasm, sweat, joy, and adrenaline, our orange Telegrafia jerseys made their appearance this year. 

Naturally, we couldn’t miss the 2025 International Peace Marathon — and not just as spectators. Many of us decided to swap keyboards and monitors for running shoes, take advantage of the beautiful, or rather runner-friendly, autumn weather, and run through the streets of a city we all, in one way or another, call home. 

Each in Their Own Way, Yet Together

We’re not talking about a massive company expedition or an organized fan club — everyone joined the race individually. Some aimed to beat a personal best, others wanted to soak in the atmosphere, and some just wanted to prove to themselves that they could do it. (For example, I was there mainly for the coffee.) 

Since none of us dared to tackle the full 42 km marathon distance, our bravest colleagues lined up for the half marathon, taking on the 21 km challenge at their own pace and in their own way. Others teamed up to run the relay, a fantastic way to experience the marathon vibe while running fewer kilometers. And, of course, Saturday’s mini-marathon “warm-up” was a highlight too — with our families and kids joining in. 

Some of us crossed the finish line with record times, others with their tongues hanging out. But each of us had our own little story — one that ended with a strong sense of self-respect and a day well spent. 

An Atmosphere You Have to Experience

During marathon weekend, Košice truly comes alive. Every street, every corner, every meter of the course pulses with energy. People cheering for everyone, whether they know them or not, bands play along the route, and the whole city transforms into one big festival of movement. 

And that’s the magic of this event — it doesn’t matter if you’re running a marathon, half marathon, relay, or just a few kilometers. What matters is being there, feeling the atmosphere, and becoming part of a story that has been written in Košice for over a century. 

 Jerseys That Brought Us Together

Our orange Telegrafia jerseys were more than just a detail this year — they were something that connected us, even though we were all running individually. For me personally, as the photographer, they had an even greater significance. In a crowd of thousands of runners, they weren’t just a splash of color — they were a reliable marker that helped me spot my colleagues on the course much more easily. 

Every year, we try to come up with a new jersey design that makes us stand out and easy to recognize among so many runners. This year, we nailed it once again — and we’re already curious to see what our marketing team will come up with for next year. 

Looking Forward to the Next Start

As I watched our colleagues pushing through the final stretch, I found myself wondering what drives them to do this. And I have nothing but respect — because for them there are many reasons. That’s why I have no doubt that many are already thinking about next year’s race: to run a bit farther, a bit faster, and maybe even take on the full marathon. Their experience this year will surely serve as motivation for the next. Or for the other colleagues. 

For us, the 2025 Peace Marathon wasn’t about victories, records, or numbers. It was about the experience — stepping out of our comfort zones, having fun, cheering each other on, running together, and most importantly, being part of something bigger. 

The article was written by

Róbert Jakab

Robert is like a moving photograph – because he is like a video. He can capture 60 frames per second. Whenever something happens, he records it. Currently, he’s working on smaller videos and hoping to make a feature film one day and then its sequel. Telegrafia 2: Monkey Power

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