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 2026
VI. edition · 20/02/2026 · 15 balloons launched from Kejžlice
Start in Kejžlice Medal places Other balloons Airfield
PrahaPlzeňKarlovy VaryKladnoRakovníkPříbramBenešovTáborKutná HoraPelhřimovJihlavaRokycany Start Kejžlice 123456789101112131415Base map: Natural Earth, Mapzen Terrain Tiles (SRTM). For illustration only, not for navigation.
1.
182.9 km as the crow flies
8 h 9 min airborne
16:09 landing time 50.15892 N, 13.00567 E
Full results 2026 Show / hide
| Rank | Crew | Balloon | Registration | Landing | Airborne | Landing site | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Miloš Kovář & Petr Sádlo | 4500 m³ | OK 1608 | 16:09 | 8 h 9 min | 50.15892 N, 13.00567 E | 182.945 km |
| 2. | Ondřej Beneš & Ladislav Kouba | 4500 m³ | OK 8804 | 15:49 | 7 h 49 min | 50.06350 N, 13.04122 E | 177.287 km |
| 3. | Břetislav Liška & Jan Mánek | 3400 m³ | OK 9009 | 14:58 | 6 h 58 min | 50.00313 N, 13.05665 E | 174.449 km |
| 4. | Michal Kubát & Petra Kubátová | 3400 m³ | OK 3008 | 15:14 | 7 h 14 min | 49.99691 N, 13.12599 E | 169.477 km |
| 5. | David Línek & Zbyšek Prokop | 4500 m³ | OK 0990 | 13:47 | 5 h 47 min | 49.97500 N, 13.88289 E | 117.114 km |
| 6. | Pavel Kostrhun & Jindra Lančarič | 4500 m³ | OK 6953 | 12:50 | 4 h 50 min | 50.01088 N, 13.93974 E | 114.850 km |
| 7. | Martin Činčala & Radka Činčalová | 3000 m³ | OK 4050 | 14:17 | 6 h 17 min | 50.03553 N, 13.97221 E | 113.863 km |
| 8. | Tomáš Pirner & Petr Květenský | 3000 m³ | OK 1771 | 13:05 | 5 h 5 min | 49.94689 N, 13.99971 E | 108.193 km |
| 9. | Jiří Hembal & Andrea Vavrušková | 3400 m³ | OK 7175 | 12:38 | 4 h 38 min | 49.89836 N, 14.03734 E | 103.830 km |
| 10. | Jan Bartoň & Marcel Nigrin | 3700 m³ | OK 2012 | 12:28 | 4 h 28 min | 49.87205 N, 14.12599 E | 96.878 km |
| 11. | Petr Vítek & Ondřej Veškrna | 3400 m³ | OK 7072 | 14:40 | 6 h 40 min | 49.79518 N, 14.18730 E | 90.266 km |
| 12. | Adéla Borkovcová & Mirek Borkovec | 3400 m³ | OK 6886 | 13:35 | 5 h 35 min | 49.79027 N, 14.19123 E | 89.860 km |
| 13. | Vladimír Lacina & Pavel Kyzlink | 3000 m³ | OK 5006 | 11:47 | 3 h 47 min | 49.42202 N, 14.50712 E | 67.295 km |
| 14. | Martin Motyka & Hana Vávrová | 2600 m³ | OK 7673 | 9:35 | 1 h 35 min | 49.46394 N, 15.00401 E | 32.018 km |
| 15. | Tomáš Habán & Jan Mléčka | 3400 m³ | OK 0420 | 9:47 | 1 h 47 min | 49.46379 N, 15.10570 E | 25.649 km |
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.
In the press
What the media write about us
- Dechberoucí podívaná na obloze. Nad zasněžené Pelhřimovsko vzlétly balóny
Unikátní zimní podívaná. Patnáctka horkovzdušných balónů vzlétla do vzduchu v pátek ráno z letiště v Kejžlici na Pelhřimovsku. Odstartoval tradiční Putovní pohár Jaroslava Haška.
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.