HISTORY
Welcome to Prachatice!
XTERRA Czech Republic is the oldest still running XTERRA race in the world, this year for the fourth time hosting XTERRA European Championship and XTERRA World Cup. XTERRA Czech race is well known because of unique mix of race center in wonderful historical town of Prachatice and the race course in the middle of the Sumava mountains.
Race attracts the best professional athletes from all around the globe including legends of triathlon. Hundreds of athletes will be cheered by thousands of fans all around the racecourse. XTERRA Czech is well known for big rock shows, afterparties and race center full of crowd and athletes. In 2019 XTERRA successfully introduce new Short Track format in Prachatice. Join us for 2024 edition.
Contact Information
For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to the local organizers:
4 X Production CZ s.r.o.
Race director: Michal Pilousek
Email: michal@xterra.cz
Tel: +420725944979
www.xterraplanet.com/czech
Thanks to our Partners
We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for making the XTERRA European Championship event possible.
How To Get There?
The host town PRACHATICE is located in South of Czech Republic, as we call it, in the middle of Europe.
Address: Prachatice, South Bohemia, Czech Republic
By Plane
Best airports: Prague (150K), Munich (250K), Linz (150K)
By Car
From Prague (2 hours), From Brno (3 hours), From Linz (2,5 hours)
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How to move from Prachatice to the lake?
XTERRA Czech is unique because of remote location of the start - Ktissky Lake. This wonderful piece of nature is 20 kilometers from Prachatice and on the race day all athletes will ride their bikes from transition on the beach of lake to the historical center of Prachatice.
But how to get there? On the race day, for the practice, to check the swim loop?
1) Race day shuttle buses
Once again race organizers ordered shuttle buses for the race day. From 8 - 10 AM there will be two buses with bike trailers going to Ktis and back to Prachatice. This way of travelling is ecological, economical (for free) and no stressful. But you need to come early to make sure you get there in time! Catch the first bus at 8AM if you race in Sprint race. Don´t wait for the last one, usually it is full soon!
2) By your own car
Most secure option, as you can plan your departure. There is one big parking slot near the lake (500 meters from the transition) open all the race-week long. Please do not park anywhere else (especially not on the fields or grass areas). You can leave your car there for unlimited time and stay there also with your camper. If you are going for the bike course recon before the race, we recommend asking someone to drop you off in the Ktis lake and ride the bike back to Prachatice.
For the best possible routes during the event, we recommend the Waze app navigation.
3) On the bike
It is not a short and easy ride. Almost 20 kilometers with 400 ascent meters is the fastest route on the main road. Sure, it can be a nice trip week before the race, but you won't like to ride like this to the race start on the race day.
4) Taxi
In case of total emergency there is few taxi companies in Prachatice, who own the van capable to take your bike with you. Book one with your friends and share the expenses!
Parking
Official parking slots are located in Prachatice and Kristanovice (swim location). Both car parks have
capacity more than 1000 cars. Please check the map below and use only the official car parks during
the race weekend. Thank you!
Traffic closure
Closure plan:
- Closure of square: Velké náměstí, Prachatice – 7.8. (14:00) - 11.8. (20:00)
- Closure of streets: Solní, Horní, Dlouhá, Věžní, Křišťanova, Kostelní náměstí, Kláštěrní in Prachatice dne 9.8. (06:00) – 10.8. (22:00)
- Closure of street: Zlatá stezka, Prachatice – 10.8. (10:00 – 20:00)
- Closure of local road to Perlovice Perlovicích from crossroads with road no. 141/2 to the crossings of this local road with another local road in village of Kahov. – 10.8. (12:00 – 16:00)
- Closure of local road around the Ktis lake. 8.8. (06:00) – 11.8. (22:00)
- Closure of local road from Ktis lake to the crossroads with road no. 122 10.8. (06:00) – 11.8. (22:00)
Registration and Packet Pick-up
Registration
Participants can pick up their packet at the XTERRA Registration Area at the Old Town Hall, Prachatice starting Thursday, August 8 from 11:00-18:00, then on Friday, August 9, from 11:00-18:00. Late Packet Pick-up is available Saturday, August 10 from 06:30 to 07:00.
Triathlon Packet Pickup Notes
All athletes are required to show a photo ID. NO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS. Every single participant, including relay participants, must have a photo ID. Youth athletes without an ID must be accompanied by a parent/guardian with a photo ID. You don't need to present any license to get your race packet.
If an athlete does not bring a photo ID to packet pickup there are two options:
a. Go home to get it
b. Have someone text/email/fax them a copy of their photo ID
Race Pack Items
Each triathlon participant race packets will include:
- Finisher T-Shirt
- Kalas Bike Vest (first 150 registered athletes only)
- bib number
- bike plate
- 2 number tattoos for arms
- dinner ticket
- wristband
- maps
- timing chip
- gear bag for the swim gear
- swim cap
- gifts from sponsors
Race Equipment Checklist
What To Bring
Here is a list of things to bring with you on race day:
- Timing chip and strap (will be picked up race morning)
- Bike with your race # attached to the handlebars
- Helmet
- Approved wetsuit (wetsuit legal call to be made race morning)
- Goggles
- Race clothing including swimwear, bike shorts, top
- Race belt or pins for race bib on the run leg
- Water bottles
- Spare tube/Co2 canister in case of a flat
- Chain tool is a good idea
- Running shoes (trail run shoes recommended)
- Sunglasses
- Hat/Visor (optional for the run)
- Sunscreen
- Towel (optional)
- Wear your race number and division tattoos.
Race Numbers and Tattoo Placement
Race Tattoo Placement
Race numbers should be placed on the front of your arms. The age division numbers should be on the back of your calf. Elites and relays do not need age division tattoos/marking.
RACE TATTOOS are REQUIRED FOR ALL TRIATHLETES
Tattoo Instructions:
Mark yourself the night before the race.
1. TEAR - Tear your number in half down the center.
2. STICK - Remove the protective top sheet. Place on the FRONT of BOTH ARMS. Do not place on
the side of your arms. Place the ink side to CLEAN and DRY skin, right side up.
3. Hold a very wet, folded paper towel over the paper backer of the tattoo for 30 seconds. Make sure it gets wet all the way through.
4. PEEL - Peel the paper backer off skin, leaving tattoo on your skin.
5. SUNSCREEN - Apply the morning of the race.
TO REMOVE: Soak the tattoos in baby oil, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover for 30 seconds, then wipe away. If you make a mistake during application, within 3 minutes you can lift off the tattoo using a few pieces of transparent tape. If you forget to put on your tattoos, visit the body marking station at the XTERRA Registration Pavilion on race morning.
Triathlon Race Briefing
Elite Briefing
When: Friday, August 9, 14:00
Where: Old town Hall, Great Square 1
Mandatory for all elite competitors. Elite athletes will also get their race packets there.
Full Distance Triathlon Age Group Athletes' Briefing
When: Friday, August 9, 19:40
Where: Great Square, stage
Race officials will run through the ins and outs of the XTERRA Full courses on Friday, August 9 at 19:40 in the evening. We encourage all athletes to attend this important meeting
Sprint, Youth and kids Triathlon
When: Sunday, August 11
Where: Ktišský Lake
10 minutes before each start the race officials will do short race briefing near the start line.
Full Distance Triathlon Check-in
Last minute packet pickup will be available from 06:30-7:00 in the Registration Booth at the Old Town Hall, Prachatice. There are no new registrations, substitutions, or transfers on race day.
Shuttle buses run every 30 minutes from Small Square in Prachatice to the Swim Start at Ktišský Lake. Please plan your schedule accordingly.
Swim Waves
For Saturday, August 10 - Full Distance Triathlon
There will be five wave starts for the European Championship Race:
12:00 - Elite men (white swim cap)
12:03 - Elite women (pink swim cap)
12:40 - Age Group Men 18-49 (yellow cap)
12:42 - Age Group Men 50+ and All Women (orange cap)
12:44 - XTERRA Czech Relay/Teams (green cap)
For Sunday, August 11 - Kids, Youth A, Youth B, Junior, and Sprint Triathlon
The wave starts will be according to the following:
09:00 - XTERRA Kids Triathlon, Age Group 8-9
09:15 - XTERRA Kids Triathlon, Age Group 10-11
09:45 - XTERRA Kids Triathlon, Age Group 12-13
10:15 - XTERRA Youth A, Age Group 14-15
11:00 - XTERRA Youth B & Junior, Age Group 16-17, 18-19
11:15 - XTERRA Sprint Triathlon
Transition Area
Transition Area 1
The first transition area is located on big meadow upper the lake. It is just few steps from swim start location. Each slot is marked by your race number. You have to put all your stuff into white gear bag with Race gear sign. Organizers will transport your bags with swim gear to the second transition area after the swim leg.
Transition Area 2
The second transition area will be in new location – ZAHRADNI STREET in Prachatice (200 meters from square). Each competitor will have his marked spot in the transition area. After race bike pick-up will be possible after 5pm. Gear bags from swim will be also in T2.
For Saturday, August 10 - Full Distance Triathlon
Transition Area 2 will be open for set-up from 07:30-10:00 at Zahradni Street, Prachatice.
Transition Area 1 will be open for set-up from 09:30 to 11:30 at Ktišský Lake.
For Saturday, August 10 - Full Distance Triathlon
Transition Area will be open for set-up from 08:00-08:45 for Kids 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and Youth A (14-15) at Ktišský Lake.
Transition Area will be open for set-up from 09:00-10:45 for Youth B, Juniors, and Sprint Triathlon Athletes at Ktišský Lake.
Water Temperature and Wetsuits
Final water temperature reading and determination of wetsuit use will take place on Saturday morning. XTERRA follows the Swimming Conduct rules for Wetsuit established by World Triathlon.
Please note that no speed suits are allowed for any race.
Full Distance Triathlon
Saturday 10th August 2024
1.5K (3x500) swim - 33K mountain bike - 10K (2x5) trail run
This is the main race of the weekend. The status of the race is XTERRA European Championship, World Cup, XTERRA EMEA tour race, Global Tour race and XTERRA World Championship qualify race. You don´t need any license or qualification, everyone can stand at the start line next to the world champions! This racecourse is well known for its versatility. Challenging singletracks are well combined with fast fire roads. There is a unique part of the course in the middle of Prachatice renaissance historical city center.
SWIM
Important note: Swim location is remote! Ktissky Lake is 18K from Prachatice. You can travel to the start with your car or use one of the shuttle buses with bike trailers! Departure times on the race day: 08:10 – 10:30!
Swim part of the race takes place at Ktissky Lake. The water has bronze color because of peat bottom of the lake. Water is very clear (but with bronze color) and always warm (20-24 Celsius). Swim course consists of 3 laps, each 500 meters. The start is from pontoon (jump or from water), between the laps there is a short run and jump back to the water.
Marking
You have to pass all the red buoys on the left side (to have buoys next to your right shoulder). Only last buoy is on your left side – here you exit the water.
Start procedure:
We will have 5 start waves: 12:00 – ELITE men, 12:03 ELITE women, 12:40 M18– 49, 12:42 M49+ and all AG women, 12:44 Relays
The referees will call each swim wave to the start line separately. The start waves will enter their start boxes in fenced area in front of Short Track finish arch (black arch near the start line).
TRANSITION 1
The first transition area is located on big meadow upper the lake. It is just few steps from swim start location. Each slot is marked by your race number. You have to put all your stuff into white gear bag with Race gear sign. Organizers will transport your bags with swim gear to the second transition area after the swim leg.
Bike
This bike course is a mix of cool singletracks, fast fire roads, steep downhills and uphills, fords and everything you can expect from the world class race. First part will take you through deep forest around Ktis and climb up to the highest peak of the race, Libin. After technical downhill you join the medieval business path called The Golden Path. Last part of the course above Prachatice is the most technical part of the course with lots of singletracks, steep climbs and unpredictable curves. Finish of the bike leg is in the streets of the renaissance old town, where you can expect thousands of crazy fans. On the bike course, there 3 aid stations (at points 12K, 25K, and 28K).
Marking:
Blue arrows, tape ropes on the trees, arrows on the tarmac
TRANSITION 2
The second transition area will be in new location – ZAHRADNI STREET in Prachatice (200 meters from the square). Each competitor will have his marked spot in the transition area. After race bike pick-up will be possible after 5pm. Gear bags from swim will be also in T2.
RUN
XTERRA Czech run course is made of 2 laps (and after transition connection). After exiting the historical town center, you will have to run few hundred meters on the tarmac to get into wood on the slopes of Cerna Hora, a hill above Prachatice. This part of the course is full of narrow singletrails, uphills, jumps, fords, rock sections and more. This is a signature part of our Czech run course! Last kilometer of the run lap is also in the historical city center. The finish line is just in front of the Statue of justice in the middle of Prachatice Great Square. There will be 6 Aid stations on the course.
Marking: RED arrows, tape ropes on the trees, arrows on the tarmac
Sprint Distance Triathlon
SWIM
Start from the pontoon. One loop around 2 orange buoys on your right shoulder (clockwise direction). Exit on the sand beach with 300 meter run up to the transition area.
Bike
One loop of 14 kilometers around Ktiska hill. The course is mix of old tarmac roads, twisty singletracks and fast gravel roads. 373 meters elevation gain.
RUN
Run loop for Sprint distance is 2/5 on the course of Short Track races with additional loop towards Trebovice village and back. 189 meters elevation gain.
Aid Stations
There will be three aid stations during the bike course, and six aid stations in the run course. Please refer to the bike map above for locations.
Course Markings
The course will be clearly marked using a mixture of corflute signs and arrows as well as bright tape tied to trees to reassure you that you are going the right way. The blue arrows are for the bike courses only. The red arrows are for all run courses. Please watch for course marshals to point you in the right direction.
XTERRA generally follows the rules established by World Triathlon.
It is important to take note of the following:
- No speed suits are allowed for any race during the swim.
- No bib numbers on the bike. Use the soft bib number only during the run leg.
- No littering. Throw away your personal trash only in marked littering zones.
- No Outside assistance (including water, food, tube, pump, etc.)
For detailed information, please check all XTERRA rules here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION for our athletes under 20 years of age!
From 2024 and creation of XTERRA Youth progamme there is very important change in rules.
If you want to fight for European title or qualify for the XTERRA World Championship in age groups Youth B (16-17 years of age) or Junior (18-19), then you have to compete in SPRINT DISTANCE race.
If you still want to compete in FULL DISTANCE race, then you will be automaticaly classified in 20 - 24 age group!
XTERRA Food Fest
The XTERRA Food Fest is a new addition to the race weekend schedule. Featuring over 10 food trucks, Czech beer, exceptional coffee, sweets, ice cream, and much more, it's a culinary delight set in the middle of the historic town of Prachatice.
Festival Hours:
Friday 15:00-onwards
Saturday 11:00-onwards
XTERRA Music Festival
Since 2018, the XTERRA Music Festival has been a vibrant part of our event! Join us for live music performances by top Czech pop and rock bands, taking place at The Great Square in Prachatice on Friday and Saturday, and at Ktis Lake, respectively.
Last year, 8 music bands drew a crowd of 2,500 people, and this year, we aim to hit the 3,000 spectator capacity of the Great Square in Prachatice. All concerts are free of charge, contributing to the XTERRA Music Fest becoming immensely popular in just a single year.
Festival Hours:
Friday 20:30-22:00 (Live Music)
Saturday 20:30-22:00 - AC/DC revival
Sunday 9:00 - 15:00 - DJ Friky
Awards Ceremony
Saturday, August 10th:
15:15 Elite Athletes Flower Ceremony @ Great Square, Prachatice
18:00-20:00 Athlete Gala Dinner (Buffet) and Full Distance Awards Ceremony @ National House, Prachatice
Prizes and World Championships Slots
The XTERRA European Championship full distance triathlon offers 58 slots to the 2024 XTERRA World Championship in Italy, and it will award €30,000 in elite prize purse money. View full breakdown of slots and prize money at https://www.xterraplanet.com/race/xterra-czech-full-distance-triathlon
XTERRA Youth Tour
The sprint distance event is also a proud part of the new XTERRA Youth Tour and will offer slots to the XTERRA Youth World Championship in Italy. Full information about the XTERRA Youth Tour can be found at https://www.xterraplanet.com/youth-tour.
XTERRA World Championship slots will be emailed following the race. However, trophies and age group medals will not be mailed, and all winners must be present to receive their awards. The top 3 in each age group division in both the full and sprint distance races will receive a medal.
Only full distance individual triathletes from within the European region will be in contention to be crowned as the 2024 European Regional Champion. The country of nationality indicated during the registration process should align with the country that issued the athlete's passport.
Watch Short Track Live!
XTERRA's most exciting race format. The top-ranked elite off-road athletes bring their speed and skill to a specially made short-form triathlon course and race it out right in front of the spectators. Below is everything you need to know about Short Track:
- What is XTERRA Short Track?
- Who races and how do they qualify?
- Who to look out for this season
- All the venues and dates to save
- How to watch via live stream
Schedule for 2024 XTERRA World Cup #6 - Czech Republic Short Track
13:10: START - Elite Women
14:10: START - Elite Men
We look forward to seeing you at the XTERRA European Championship. For more information, visit https://www.xterraplanet.com/event/xterra-czech-republic or email info@xterra.cz.
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