This summer, the historic town of Prachatice, located in the scenic heart of South Bohemia, Czech Republic, will once again transform into a battleground for Europe’s best off-road athletes. From August 7 to 10, 2025, the town will host the Europe Triathlon XTERRA Cross Duathlon and Europe Triathlon XTERRA Cross Triathlon Championships, drawing elite competitors, junior champions, and passionate age-groupers from across the continent.
Prachatice is no stranger to the XTERRA world. With its cobbled streets, Renaissance architecture, and dense surrounding forests, it offers an idyllic yet demanding landscape for off-road racing. The town’s central square—Velké náměstí—will serve as the heart of the event, while the crystal-clear waters of Kristanovicky Lake, situated just outside the town, will host the swim sections of the triathlon races.
For Europe Triathlon, the event goes far beyond the racecourse. It represents a continued commitment to supporting and expanding the off-road multisport scene across the continent. From elite contenders to junior athletes and passionate age-groupers, this championship brings together a truly diverse field in the spirit of community and competition.
The championship weekend begins on Thursday, August 7, with the Europe Triathlon XTERRA Cross Duathlon Championships. This intense race will see elite and age-group athletes tackle a rugged course beginning with an 8-kilometer trail run, followed by a 21-kilometer mountain bike ride through the surrounding hills, and finishing with a final 4-kilometer run. Junior athletes will compete in a slightly shorter but equally demanding version of the course, consisting of a 4-kilometer run, 12 kilometers of biking, and a 1.5-kilometer sprint to the finish.
Friday introduces a lighter tone, with community-focused events such as Herbi’s Trail Run—a 5-kilometer charity race through the town—and a kids’ run that brings the younger generation into the excitement. But the pace quickens again on Saturday, August 9, when the Cross Triathlon European Championships take center stage. The main triathlon event begins with a 1.5-kilometer swim in Kristanovicky Lake. From there, athletes will take on a 33-kilometer mountain bike ride across the infamous Golden Salt Path. The race finishes with a challenging 10.5-kilometer trail run looping through the Libín hills and back into the heart of Prachatice.
Saturday also features the Youth Sprint Triathlon, offering a 500-meter swim, 12-kilometer ride, and a 4-kilometer run for younger competitors vying for continental titles. A separate Beginner Sprint Triathlon will provide an opportunity for newer athletes to experience the thrill of XTERRA racing with a shorter, more accessible course.
The action-packed weekend wraps up on Sunday, August 10, with a series of fast-paced and spectator-friendly events. The Super Sprint Triathlon, designed for Youth A competitors and open-category racers, will feature a condensed format of a 200-meter swim, 6 kilometers of biking, and a 2-kilometer run. Later in the day, top international athletes will battle it out in the Short Track Triathlon, a high-speed race consisting of a 400-meter swim, 8 kilometers on the bike, and a 2.4-kilometer run—all broadcast live. The weekend will close with a final tribute to the sport’s future, the Kids Triathlon, allowing children aged 8 to 13 to swim, bike, and run their way through a friendly yet challenging course.
Together, these events not only determine Europe’s best off-road triathletes and duathletes but also celebrate the inclusive and community-driven spirit brought forward from Europe Triathlon. With its vibrant mix of competition, camaraderie, and culture, XTERRA Czech 2025 in Prachatice promises to be a standout moment in next year’s European triathlon calendar.