RACE ACROSS CZECHIA 2026 is 1100km bikepacking challenge across the Czech Republic, with a fixed route for gravels. From RACZ26 edition we decided to include also a shortened variant „Finisher 800“, with a finish line at RP3.
The fifth edition of RACZ will start from Karolína campsite near Planá and its route will lead through wild areas of Český Les, Šumava, Novohradské Mountains, Česká Kanada, Vysočina, Podyjí, Lednice-Valtice Area and the Bílé Karpaty. As a finish line we have chosen mountain hut Holubyho chata, just under iconic mount Velká Javořina.
RACZ26 route will definitely be the wildest in our history, with long sections in deep nature, outside big cities. On the contrary, the route will be the fastest of the previous gravel editions in terms of elevation and off-road sections.
START: Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. from main square in Planá
FINISH: Holubyho chata (Velká Javořina)
LIMIT: 130 hours. Main organizer will be waiting at finish line until Tuesday 14th July, 18 a.m. Riders who will arrive after this limit will be anounced as Finishers, just without personal welcome.
THE ROUTE
LENGTH AND ELEVATION: 1100 km / 13-14 000 m or 800 km / 11-12000 m
TERRAIN: approx. 50% asphalted forest roads and cycle paths, 25% paved forest roads, approx. 23% lower-class roads, approx. 2% MTB sections.
RECOMMENDED BIKE: gravel with tires at least 36mm+, preferably 40mm+
POINTS OF INTEREST: ruins of the church of St. John the Baptist – Dianahof – Čerchov – high altitude Nýrsko – Černé jezero – Modrava – source of the Vltava – Schwarzenberg Canal – high altitude Lipno – Rožmberk Castle – Český Krumlov – birthplace of J. Žižka in Trocnov – Nové hrady Castle – Chlum u Třeboně – Metel Weir – Rožmberk Pond – Červená Lhota Chateau – Jindřichův Hradec – Rožnov Bison Farm – Landštejn Castle and Dam – Telč – Bítov Castle – Chateau and V.N. Vranov – Hardeggská vyhlídka – Sealsfieldův kámen – Znojmo – Jevišovice – Dukovany NPP – Moravský Krumlov – Rosa Coeli monastery – Nové Mlýny – Mikulov – Lednice-Valtice area – Soutok game reserve – Hodonín – Veselí nad Moravou – Velká Javořina
MAP
PROFILE
The RACZ26 route will start with a difficult first section in the Bohemian Forest and Šumava, from Lipno the route is more pleasant, however, the Novohradsko and Česká Kanada regions will also suffer from an undulating profile. Znojmo and southern Moravia are already flat, at the end there is a traditional „final push“ with 800m+ to Velká Javořina.
The total elevation (according to Komoot) is 12300m, which is approximately 13-14,000m in real terms.
SURFACE
PRE-START BACKGROUND, SOCIAL RIDE, RESTPOINTS
Pre-start background of RACZ26 will take place in brewery Chodovar in village Chodová Planá, cca 4km from place of start.
On Wednesday, July 8th, we will be organizing an (optional) Social Ride, an approx. 40km circuit to famous czech spa town Mariánské Lázně, with a stop for a beer and ice cream.
The presentation and collection of GPS trackers and pre-start packages will take place on Wednesday, July 8th from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM or on the day of the start from 7:15 AM to 7:45 AM.
A pre-start meeting of approximately 30 minutes with a presentation of the route, warnings about the main pitfalls and organizational matters will begin on Wednesday at 8:45 PM.
3 RestPoints will help you to break up the 1100km route and make our event more enjoyable. You will be able to take some food and refreshments, meet other riders and organizers, and also stay overnight at all RPs.
RP1 – Hostinec U Michala, Prášily, 185.km
RP2 – Holenský Dvůr; 550.km
RP3/FIN 800 – Wilsonka campsite; 810.km
For RACZ26, we will be also providing overnight accommodation in Horská Kvilda (220.km) and Strážný (245.km)
You will find more informations about pre-start facilities and programme in section ORGANIZATION.
GPS TRACKING
RACZ participants will be equipped with GPS trackers, thanks to which it will be possible to follow the course of the race on the Internet, via the FollowMe tracking application.
LINK FOR TRACKING: cs.follow.me.cz/tracking/racz26
UB TRACKING There will also be 10 highligths marked as FotoPoints, where participants will be able to share their impressions via UltraBikers website ultrabikers.eu/racz26-tracking.
REGISTRATION
Registration for RACZ26 is opened, you can find a form in section REGISTRATION.
Maximum number of participants: 180 (+ 20 substitutes)
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee for participation in RACZ26 is:
FULL ROUTE 1100 km
– for registrations until 31.3.2026 – 3500 CZK / 150 EUR
– for registrations from 1.4.2026 – 4000 CZK / 170 EUR
SHORT ROUTE 800 km
– for registration until 31.3.2026 – 3000 CZK / 130 EUR
– for registration from 1.4.2026 – 3500 CZK / 150 EUR
The entry fee includes: gpx files with The Route, GPS tracker rental, vouchers for drinks/soup at RestPoints and at the finish in total value of 250/150 CZK, transportation of package from start to finish, starting number, stickers, brevet card, medal, diploma, small snacks at Refreshment Stations and RestPoints, Route Itinerary in Excel
The entry fee does not include: overnight stay and meals in pre-start facilites, accommodation and hot meals at RestPoints and at the finish at Holubyho chata refuge, spare parts at RPs
PAYMENTS
Entry fee can be paid on the bank account: 670100-2216784675/6210, in the note for the recipient please include your name and surname and text „RACZ26“.
Payments from abroad:
BIC: BREXCZPPXXX
IBAN: CZ97 6210 6701 0022 1678 4675
The deposit for the GPS tracker and the costs of accommodation and food at pre-start facilities (and at RP1) will be payable approximately one week before start.
CANCELLATION
In case of cancellation of participation by 31.3.2026, we can refund the entry fee in full amount.
If you cancel between 1.4.- 30.6.2026, the entry fee is not refundable, but you can transfer it to another UltraBikers Cup event or RACZ27.
If you cancel after 1.7.2026, you can transfer it to another UltraBikers Cup event or RACZ27, but a cancellation fee of 500 CZK / 20 EUR will be charged.
The entry fee paid can be transferred to another person at any time, without a cancellation fee.
PRIZES
WINNER
- free entry fee for 1 UltraBikers Cup event
- 50% discount on a cycling jersey in the RACZ or UB Cup design
- voucher for a discount on Ortlieb equipment worth 3000 CZK
- priority participation, entry fee and free accommodation (from Saturday to Sunday) at the „Last Mile UltraBikers 2026“ (30.10.2026).
2nd and 3rd PLACE, WINNER OF SHORT ROUTE
- 50% discount on any UltraBikers Cup event
- priority participation and free entry fee for the final event „Last Mile“
4.-10. PLACE, FASTEST WOMAN AND WINNER OF THE 50+ CATEGORY (ONLY FULL ROUTE)
- 20% discount on the entry fee for any UltraBikers Cup race
TOP50
- priority registration for Race Across Czechia 2027
Participants do not receive any financial bonuses, prizes or souvenirs for other positions in the race. Based on the achieved time, participants receive points for the overall UltraBikers Cup ranking.
NEWS, FACEBOOK RACZ
You can keep up to date with Race Across Czechia news on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/raceacrossczechia
We will be also happy for sharing our event on your social networks:
FB EVENT – https://www.facebook.com/events/1572451557051158
STRAVA EVENT – https://www.strava.com/clubs/1112120/group_events/3396923681897932810
