Our Story
Would you think that a simple run can change the fate of people trying to return to their ordinary life after spending time behind bars? For most of them, starting over is accompanied with a huge struggle – not with the past, but with the view sand prejudices of a society that often regards them with distrust, and even though they have served their sentences, they are still labeled with crime. Gabriela Slováková, the then director of the women's prison in Světlá nad Sázavou, decided to change that.
Our Way to a Safer Society
2015
Yellow Ribbon Run arrived in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, 7 out of 10 people released from prison returned there. We had the 4th highest incarceration rate in theEU. Gabriela Slováková brought from Singapore the idea of a run that breaks down prejudices, educates the public about prison, and contributes to crime prevention. She was joined by the Business Leaders Forum (BLF), which helped toattract first partners from the private sector.
2016
The first run starts
First Yellow Ribbon Run starts with 32 runners - Public and Conviction Run Together for a second chance. We run with RunCzech, BLF and a platform consisting of the Prison Service of the Czech Republic, Probation and Mediation Services and RUBICON Center is being created.
2019
The community is growing
The initiative was noticed by various organizations and celebrities, led by the ambassador of the project, actor, and screenwriter Petr Čtvrtníček. The public began to understand that there integration of people who served a prison sentence is not just about their release from prison, but mainly about their return to our midst as fully functioning members of society.
2020
Runningin the time of COVID
Nonetheless, we started virtual runs in prisons that attended hundreds of people from all over the country.
2023
Establishment of a separate organization Yellow ribbon z.s.
It runs us over 600. And after the children of incarcerated parents, whom we dedicated the year before, we run for women with criminal backgrounds. At the start we also meet the patroness of the children and our ambassador, presenter Barbora Černošková.
2024
Yellow Ribbon Run spread to Europe
There are 911 runners at the start of the 9th annual race, which we dedicated to dads with criminal record. There is interest in awareness through running around the world. As part of bilateral cooperation with Norway, the Yellow Ribbon Growing European hub is being established in the Czech Republic, and the first European countries - Croatia and Lithuania - are launching the initiative. The poet and rapper Lipo is the new ambassador.
2025
We celebrate 10 years
Waiting for us jubilee 10th year, which will be dedicated to the family. Not just the classic one, but also our community one. We will run in the beautiful surroundings of Obory Hvězda, June 10, 2025.
Benefits of the Yellow Ribbon Run for Society
The Yellow Ribbon Run is not only a sporting event, but a powerful expression of solidarity. Educate the public on prison issues and this contributes to crime prevention.
We educate the public
We open a discussion about second chances and reintegration. We educate the public and show that people after serving a sentence are not lost forever to society.
Safer society
When a person is given a second chance and support to return to normal life after serving a sentence, the risk of returning to criminal activity is significantly reduced.
See photos from last year
Check out our best moments from the run.
