Prague International Marathon organizers are set to kick off this year’s city runs with a half-marathon, scheduled to start March 24 on Karlovo náměstí in Prague 2. The organizers announced that the star-studded lineup of runners should challenge the world record in the half marathon. About 6,000 noncompetitive runners are expected to take part.

Speed skater Martina Sáblíková lived up to high expectations in the world single-distances speed-skating championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 8–11. Having won the 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) race March 9, Sáblíková also triumphed in the 5-kilometer race March 11, setting a new world record of 6 minutes, 46.91 seconds.

Biker Lukáš Pešek finished on the podium in the opening race of this year’s Moto GP in Dauha, Qatar, March 11. Pešek finished third in the 125-cc category.

The Supreme Court in Olomouc ruled March 7 that Toronto Maple Leafs hockey defenseman Pavel Kubina must pay 75,000 Kč ($3,513) to referee Petr Bolina for accusing him of being corrupt during the Extraliga playoffs in spring 2005. During the NHL lockout, Bolina played with HC Vítkovice in the Czech top-flight league. The court in Olomouc lowered the previous fine of 400,000 Kč that a low court ordered Kubina to pay.

Czech champion professional boxer Lukáš Konečný announced he is preparing for a bout with Brazilian fighter Luciano Silva in which he will attempt to defend his Super Welterweight belt with the World Boxing Organization. The fight will take place in Teplice, north Bohemia, April 7.

The BK Prostějov men’s basketball team set a new scoring record in the Czech top-flight National Basketball League by scoring 136 points in a March 14 game against Ústí nad Labem, which ended 136–65. The previous record, held by Mlékárna Kunín from last season, was 135 points.

Dagmar Damková, the only female referee in the Gambrinus liga, failed to make the shortlist of 14 referees who will be officiating in the competition throughout the spring. Damková has refereed in the Gambrinus liga since October 2003.

Tomáš Kraus and Stanley Hayer dominated the World Championship ski cross March 6 in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. Kraus finished first in the race, defending his title from last year, and Hayer took the silver medal.

Defending hockey champion Sparta Praha advanced over Zlín to the semifinals of the Extraliga playoffs, where the team faces Liberec. In the second semifinal series, scheduled to take place in late March, Pardubice faces České Budějovice.