Red Bull 400: Liberec 2026

The toughest 400 meters are back. Red Bull 400 challenges runners at Ještěd once again

After five years, Red Bull 400 returns to Ještěd. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, more than a thousand runners will line up at the start of the ski jump in Liberec, facing a 400-meter run up an extremely steep slope. The short course, which allows for no letup, makes the race one of the most intense running challenges in the Czech Republic.

Red Bull 400 is an extreme run to the top of the ski jump, attracting both experienced athletes and amateurs. Eva Adamczyková, Martin Fuksa, and Maxim Habanec will also be at the starting line for this year’s edition.

400 meters that hurt<br>
At Ještěd, runners face a climb directly up the ski jump, which combines speed and a steep ascent over 400 meters. The gradient reaches up to 35%, making the course one of the most demanding of its kind.

“What makes it unique is that it’s a relatively short distance. You can see the finish line, but to reach it, you have to dig deep,” describes Jakub Šiarnik, winner of the last Czech edition in Liberec in 2021, who has been competing in the race since 2018 and has already racked up six victories. He claimed his first victory in the Red Bull 400 right here in Liberec in 2019, and this year he’d like to add a third triumph here.

The race is open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of performance level, and features men’s, women’s, and relay categories. In the individual categories, qualifying heats will be run over the full 400-meter distance, with the winners advancing directly to the finals. They will be joined by the fastest runners from all heats based on their times. The relays (4 × 100 meters—men, women, and mixed teams) will be run directly as finals without qualifying heats.

According to Šiarnik, the race is decided in the second half of the course. “The key is crossing the takeoff line, where you need to push again and pick up the pace toward the finish. It’s also a psychological moment—if you don’t burn out at the start, you know you can do it,” he adds.***

How to Register<br>
Registration for the race opens on May 19 at 12:00 p.m. on the website redbull.cz/400. The entry fee is 1,590 CZK for individuals and 2,590 CZK for four-person relays.
The race has long enjoyed strong participation in the Czech Republic, and the high level of interest was confirmed by last year’s edition, which drew more than 1,200 runners and quickly reached capacity.

The Road to the Start Goes On Despite the Spring Challenge<br>
New for this year’s edition is the Red Bull 400 Challenge on the Strava platform, which will take place from April 27 to May 17, 2026. Participants are tasked with climbing a total of 1,200 meters in elevation over the course of three weeks. Upon completing the challenge, they will receive a 400 CZK discount on their individual entry fee.Red Bull 400 Beyond the Czech Republic<br>
Red Bull 400 is an extreme race held annually on ski jumps in several European countries and beyond. Traditional stops include Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Poland. Each course has its own unique features, but the common denominator is always the same format—a 400-meter run down a steep slope.

The event partners are Nova Action, Evropa 2, and Crivit. For more information about the race, visit redbull.cz/400.