We have taken a major step forward. As part of the renewal of our athletic infrastructure, we have secured an identical track surface from the renowned manufacturer Mondo—the same one used at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
It has been ten years since the first edition of JBL Jump Fest. Over that time, our technical setup has withstood not only the test of time, but also challenging weather conditions and demanding logistics. We started very modestly, storing the surface in a regular garage. “There were times when we had to pack everything while it was still wet—after all, you can’t reserve good weather for an event. Handling and storing this type of surface is extremely demanding, with a single rolled strip weighing around 250 kg.” recalls the event’s founder, Stanislav Návesňák.
Since 2023, we have also been using the facility as part of a training indoor track on L. Novomeského Street in Košice. While this made storage easier, it also led to increased wear and tear. Each year, we have had to transport approximately 30 tons of material to the city centre before the event and move it back again afterwards.
This year, we are also introducing a completely new runway on Alžbetina Street. The full renewal of the long jump and triple jump sector was made possible thanks to the support of the Sports Support Fund. “In designing the new setup, we focused on eliminating details that previously caused issues for athletes. One key improvement is the relocation of the long jump take-off board one meter further from the landing area, which will be especially appreciated by elite triple jumpers.” says manager of the meeting, Peter Samuelis.
Despite the ongoing reconstruction of the city centre, we are bringing JBL Jump Fest back to Košice once again. The main programme of this World Athletics Tour Silver meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at 20:00—for the first time under artificial lighting. We expect the evening format to deliver a more visually attractive experience and attract even more spectators, while also allowing us to expand the accompanying programme.
Due to organizational constraints, high jump will not be included this year. However, we are proud that Košice retains its World Athletics Tour Silver status for the second consecutive year. The featured “silver” disciplines will be the men’s triple jump and the women’s long jump.
Photo credit: Soňa Maléterová/AI postproduction