2026 · VI.
Hot-air balloon race
The Jaroslav Hašek Challenge Cup
Every year balloons rise above Kejžlice airfield and drift wherever the wind takes them. The one who flies the farthest wins.
182.9 km longest flight
8 h 9 min airborne
15 balloons at the start
Flight map
Where they landed in 2023
III. edition · 05/02/2023 · 8 balloons launched from Kejžlice
Start in Kejžlice Medal places Other balloons Airfield
PrahaPlzeňKarlovy VaryKladnoRakovníkPříbramBenešovTáborKutná HoraPelhřimovJihlavaRokycany Start Kejžlice 123456Base map: Natural Earth, Mapzen Terrain Tiles (SRTM). For illustration only, not for navigation.
1.
86.1 km as the crow flies
4 h 43 min airborne
landing time 48.85323 N, 15.75399 E
Full results 2023 Show / hide
| Rank | Crew | Balloon | Registration | Landing | Airborne | Landing site | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Petr Klička & Ladislav Kouba | 4200 m³ | OK 6007 | 4 h 43 min | 48.85323 N, 15.75399 E | 86.087 km | |
| 2. | Miloš Kovář & Aleš Vašíček | 4500 m³ | OK 1608 | 4 h 45 min | 48.85609 N, 15.76014 E | 85.929 km | |
| 3. | Petr Kubíček & Tomáš Hora | 3400 m³ | OK 7782 | 4 h 31 min | 48.85595 N, 15.73806 E | 85.468 km | |
| 4. | Tomáš Pirner & Petr Květenský | 4500 m³ | OK 7117 | 3 h 40 min | 48.99931 N, 15.72007 E | 69.888 km | |
| 5. | Vladimír Lacina & Pavel Štol | 3400 m³ | OK 2407 | 3 h 35 min | 49.00973 N, 15.70827 E | 68.510 km | |
| 6. | Pavel Dilinger & Štěpánka Dilingerová | 2600 m³ | OK 8025 | 3 h 7 min | 49.18163 N, 15.57596 E | 47.382 km | |
| – | Pavel Měřínský | 4500 m³ | OK 8804 | Diskvalifikace | |||
| – | Pavel Kostrhun & Jindra Lančarič | 4500 m³ | OK 6953 | Diskvalifikace |
Challenge cup holders
All editions
2025 · V.
2024 · IV.
2023 · III.
2022 · II.
2021 · I.
Photo gallery
From the launch, the sky and the landing
We will add photos from the editions soon.
Videos
The race on video
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3. ročník O pohár Jar. Haška v balónovém létání letiště Kejžlice 2023
About the race
Where the wind takes us
The race for the Jaroslav Hašek challenge cup takes place every year at Kejžlice airfield. The crews start together and the one that lands farthest from the start wins. The cup then travels with the winners until the next edition.
The VII. edition takes place on 27–31 January 2027, with reserve dates on 17–21 February 2027. Crews can apply through this website.
From where Letiště Kejžlice LP 17 km from the centre of Czechia
Where it is N 49°35′31″
E 15°24′05″
E 15°24′05″
The winner is the longest flight
For the winner
Challenge cup, a diploma of lead and steel and a barrel of beer.
When we do not fly
Lipnice and Švejk – the castle, the U České koruny inn, breweries.
Rules
Start from 8:00, crews of two, landing by 17:00 in Czechia. The crew that flies the farthest wins.