Mácháč Running Festival

About the Event

The Mácháč Run Fest is a unique sporting and cultural event held at the iconic Máchovo Jezero (Lake Mácha) in the Czech Republic. Scheduled for May 15–17, 2026, the festival is inspired by the legendary Czech poet and endurance walker Karel Hynek Mácha. True to its heritage, the event features a wide range of distances, including ultra-marathons and dedicated barefoot running categories, emphasizing a connection with nature and tradition. Race Schedule and Categories The festival spans three days, beginning with the longest endurance challenge and culminating in the signature barefoot events on Sunday.

Distance	Start Date & Time	Category Type
160 km	Friday, May 15 @ 7:00 PM	Ultra-Trail
40 km	Saturday, May 16 @ 10:00 AM	Mountain / Trail
25 km / 10 km / 5 km	Saturday, May 16 (from 11:30 AM)	Cross-Country
Bosá Noha (Barefoot)	Sunday, May 17 @ 11:00 AM	1.5 km and 5 km Barefoot

Geography and Atmosphere The event is headquartered at the Karolínka cottage camp in the Doksy region. The courses wind through pine forests and sandy terrains characteristic of Northern Bohemia. Barefoot Tradition: A defining feature of the fest is the Sunday "Bosá Noha" (Barefoot Foot) races, honoring the historical accounts that Karel Hynek Mácha often traveled and ran without shoes. Cultural Program: Beyond running, the Friday evening includes a film screening and presentation titled "JIBE JAHA 2026," featuring photos and stories from Greenland. Saturday night concludes with a concert and after-party. Climate: Mid-May in the Liberec Region usually brings pleasant running weather, with average temperatures ranging from 9°C in the evening to 18°C during the day. Logistics and Participation Organized by Jan "Venca" Francke, the event is designed as a gathering for both elite ultra-runners and recreational families. Registration: Participants can register for various distances via the official website. Presentation/check-in typically opens 60–90 minutes before each race start. Accommodation: On-site lodging is available at the Karolínka camp, providing a convenient base for runners participating in multi-day events. Environment: The routes focus on the "pine grove" experience mentioned in Mácha's poetry, ensuring a scenic, nature-focused race through the Protected Landscape Area. For registration details or inquiries, organizers can be contacted through the festival's official portal.

Races Offered

160km

May 15, 2026

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Distance — 160K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

19:00

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€41.25

25 km

May 16, 2026

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Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

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09:00

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€22.65

40 km

May 16, 2026

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Distance — 40K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

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€26.75

10 km

May 16, 2026

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Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

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€14.50

5 km

May 16, 2026

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Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

13:00

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€12.5

Barefooter 1.5 km

May 17, 2026

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Distance — 1.5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:30

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€2.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Staré Splavy.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 7.8° / 18.6°

wb_sunny 5.2° / 15.4°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 11.2 /

water_drop 67.2%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 7.8° / 18.6°

wb_sunny 5.2° / 15.4°

air 11.2 km/h

water_drop 67.2%

About Staré Splavy

Learn more about the host city, Staré Splavy.

Staré Splavy is a village and part of Doksy in the Česká Lípa District in the Liberec Region oid the Czech Republic. It has about 600 inhabitants. It is a recreation centre and a former spa resort, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Mácha. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was one of the famous holiday destinations in the whole of Austria-Hungary.