Linz will host the Race Across Austria North-South from 16 to 20 June 2026. The ultra-cycling event will take athletes from the Upper Austrian capital to the northernmost and southernmost points of Austria as well as the geographical centre of the country. The start and finish are located in the Hofmann Personal Stadium.
Race Across Austria North-South with six distances
The organisers offer six different distances. The RACA1000 covers 1000 kilometres with 14,000 metres of altitude, the RACA700 covers 700 kilometres and 10,000 metres of altitude. The RACA500 measures 500 kilometres with 7,000 metres of altitude, while the RACA300 covers 300 kilometres and 4,000 metres of altitude. The two Gravel Ultra competitions cover 500 kilometres with 8,000 metres of altitude and 300 kilometres with 5,000 metres of altitude. All races take place in unsupported format, external support and support vehicles are not permitted.
Steinberger starts at the Race Across Austria 700
Rainer Steinberger from Germany is one of the favourites for the RACA700. The reigning Supported Ultracycling World Champion won the 500-kilometre course of the Race Across Austria North-South in 2025. Markus Rudisch from the Waldviertel region will be competing in the RACA1000 North-South and the European Championships in the Unsupported Ultracycling RACA1000 East to West. The Austrian finished on the podium in the Race around Lower Austria, took third place in the RACA700 in 2024 and finished fifth in both the RACA1000 North-South and the Supported Ultracycling European Championship in 2025.
Spiegelberg and Gierer in the women's category
Jasmin Spiegelberg competes in the RACA1000. The Austrian doctor took third place in the RACA500 Solo Female category at the RACA East to West 2025. At the RACA GlocknerWoman, she set the fastest time from Heiligenblut to the Edelweissspitze and was faster than all male participants. Kathrin Gierer from Austria completes the field of promising female athletes at the RACA1000. The long-distance athlete has achieved several strong results in Austrian ultracycling competitions. Every fifth starter is a woman, according to organiser Steff Wagner.
Finisher trophies from the Diakonie workshop
Diakonie Gallneukirchen is producing a total of 1,000 finisher trophies for the 2026 events in its wood workshop in Upper Austria. Organiser and ultra world record holder Steff Wagner says that the participants will receive a memento at the finish line that has been created with craftsmanship and dedication in a valuable social environment. For each starter, a tree will be planted in the Waldviertel with partner Wald4Leben. Deputy Mayor Karin Leitner welcomes the athletes to Linz and presents the trophies at the award ceremony. In 2026, the Race Across Austria will include a second major event in August with RACA East to West, where the World Ultracycling Association's European Championships in unsupported ultracycling will be held.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
