Alex Mandák at the 60th Slovak Indoor Athletics Championships: debut on the track

Ostrava, 27 February 2026 – The jubilee 60th Slovak Indoor Athletics Championships marked a premiere for Alex Mandák in a new sporting environment. For the first time, he lined up at the start of the men’s 3000-metre track race, finishing in an impressive 5th place in a strong field of competitors.

For Alex, this was his first experience running on an indoor clay track, making the result even more valuable. Most of his competitors have years of specialised track-and-field training behind them, while Alex entered the race following his winter training cycle primarily focused on triathlon.

Running on an indoor track presents a different challenge compared to triathlon races. It requires explosiveness, the ability to maintain a high pace in an enclosed environment, and technical precision when navigating the bends. For a triathlete accustomed to outdoor conditions and longer distances, this means adapting not only physically but also mentally.

Despite this, Alex managed to keep pace with specialised runners, confirming his versatility and continued athletic progress under the guidance of coach Eva Piatriková. The result from Ostrava also demonstrates that systematic training based on data and an individual approach delivers results beyond his primary discipline.

Competing at the Slovak Indoor Championships was a valuable test of Alex’s current form and an opportunity to gain new experience in a track-and-field environment. In the coming weeks, his focus will return to triathlon, where a new season with international races and ambitious goals awaits.

MASAM has long supported young sports talents and is proud of every sporting achievement by Alex Mandák, who represents Slovakia through his performances at both national and international events.