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MIROTON 2004

On Sunday, 13th June 2004, the members of the Czech Greyhound Race Federation participated in the 4th Running Marathon called MIROTON. The race was organized by the famous MIRO gallery having its seat in the Church of St. Roch in the ancient area of the Strahov Monastery in Prague 1 - Hradčany.

The present participants were welcomed by the known gallery owner, Mr. PhDr. Miro Smolák from this famous gallery. The marathon was started by the Minister of Culture, Mr. Pavel Dostál, the course of the marathon was moderated by a member of parliament from ODS, Mr. Ing. Petr Bratský.

The marathon runners included the professional as well as amateur sportsmen, famous politicians, artists, opera singers, representatives of leading companies and members of the Czech Greyhound Race Federation with their greyhounds.

This combination of runners was an absolute novelty in this year and the perfect marketing move of MIRO Gallery.

The marathon participants, the watching tourists and in particular the present media became interested in greyhounds and greyhound races right after the arrival of greyhounds. The media included ČT-1, Czech Television news reporting and Prague Television.

The audience was interested in everything associated with the greyhound races, that are also in the Praskačka Race Course.

The tourists – visitors to the Strahov Monastery cheered and applauded for all racers, however, in particular for the dog racers. The dog Marathon racers created a smile also on the faces of otherwise pensive clergies – members of the order of Sestercians, who are seated in this ancient Strahov Monastery. The photographers were shooting and the cameramen were filming the present greyhounds with the same interest as they were shooting the celebrities participating in the race.

The interview in presence of television cameras was given by the member of your the federation, and then by the President of our Czech Greyhound Race Federation, Ing. Zdenek Grondol.

The potential economic effect of the participation of greyhounds in MIROTON on future events was calculated by the economist of the Czech Greyhound Race Federation, Mr. Ing. Ivan Volný, who is also an advisor of the President of CGRF for the Near East. (as it is known, Mr. Ing. Volný established great contacts in the area of greyhound races – stretching out up to Dubai).

A nice surprise for the members of our Federation was the finding that the winner of this 4th Miroton is a triple winner, the daughter of Mrs. Jana Havlová, a member of your the Czech Greyhound Racing Federation, who was also running this time. Of course, with her two greyhounds.

The breathtaking environment of Strahov Monastery, beautiful weather, wonderful greyhounds, splendid sports performances – all this was enhanced by a great band of musicians, who played like they were racing.

As hunger comes soon after the sports performance, the Marathon participants could recover their energy in the banquette held in Klášterní restaurant situated in the Strahov area next to MIRO Gallery.

Here, we were welcomed with a cold sparkling wine, a roasted pig and a goulash. No need to say, that the Chef could not manage to cut the portions. On top of that, we enjoyed a quality wine from Znojmo region and beerlovers never felt a shortage of their popular beer.

Nobody could resist the delicious meals and the good vintage. We all did have a special time.

We are sure to participate in the next year of Miroton, even if only for the reason that one of the goals of the Czech Greyhound Race Federation is to teach the public to know the greyhound and also to popularize the greyhound race sport.