On Saturday, June 4, students of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the University of South Bohemia supported the organizers of the 2022 Mattoni half marathon in České Budějovice. 41 students from the study programmes General Nursing, Medical Rescue and Physiotherapy, helped with this prestigious event. The majority provided medical services on the track, rescuers went to the event on bikes, and six future physiotherapists massaged runners in a tent on Přemysl Otakar II Square. The main race began at 7pm with heavy rain and lightning in the distance, but the rain soon stopped. Rain had also bothered the participants earlier that afternoon, but fortunately it stopped before the family dm run at 5pm, intended mainly for parents with children.
The accompanying programme in the square began in the morning. In the tent of the University of South Bohemia, experts from the Centre for the Prevention of Lifestyle Diseases of the FHSS USB and students of General Nursing offered athletes and members of the public advice on healthy lifestyle based on measuring selected health values. The running service provided our students with valuable experience: for example, two students offered effective help to a thirteen-year-old boy who had an epileptic seizure on the track.
RunCzech project manager, Igor Murko, later thanked our faculty for the cooperation: "We witnessed the determined performances of the runners, but also the great commitment of volunteers, paramedics, and everyone else involved. We appreciate your support and splendid commitment during the preparations and the race itself. Thank you for your cooperation, which was essential for realising this unique race."
The main race of the 10th Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon attracted almost 2,500 runners. About 4,000 competitors took part in all the runs during the day. The České Budějovice race has been awarded a five-star European Athletics Certificate. Once again it attracted hundreds of visitors at the start of the race in the square, as well as around the track.
