Race name
Crosskovácsi Mountain Bike Marathon
Race venue and date
Hungary, Pest County, Nagykovácsi, Tisza Castle
GPS coordinates: 47.575688, 18.891563
Plus code: HVGR+7J Nagykovácsi
13 JUNE 2026, SATURDAY 10:00
Race organiser
Crosskovácsi Sports and Environmental Association – Address: 2094 Nagykovácsi, Kolozsvár tér 3.
The marathon races are held in accordance with the regulations of the UCI, the Union Cycliste Internationale, and the Hungarian Cycling Federation.
Official race website
.... where you are right now :-) www.crosskovacsi.hu
Getting to the race headquarters
The race headquarters can be conveniently reached from two directions.
Passing by the right side of the Szent-Sebestyén Chapel on the Budapest side of the castle park, 50 m beyond it, next to the main road leading into Nagykovácsi, you can enter the park on foot or by bike.
Alternatively, you can reach the race headquarters through the main entrance of the castle in Nagykovácsi, also on foot or by bike only.
Signs marked RACE HEADQUARTERS indicate the direction from both sides!
Driving into the castle park by car is strictly prohibited!
Only vehicles transporting team tents with a pre-registered licence plate are permitted to enter – one vehicle per team!!
Start/finish area
Course description, distances and elevation profiles
The mini and family race is 5.2 km long (150 m elevation gain), which corresponds to the 5.2 km lead-in lap that every category completes after the start.
The mini adult distance is 15.1 km long (300 m elevation gain), consisting of the 5.2 km lead-in lap and a 6.8 km section of the marathon course. The mini distance turn-off on the marathon course is indicated by a MINI sign 2.5 km after the lead-in lap.
The short distance is 29.2 km (850 m elevation gain), consisting of the 5.2 km lead-in lap (150 m elevation gain) and a 24 km section of the 44 km "GRAND LOOP" (700 m elevation gain). The field cuts across to the 44 km loop via the road leading from Nagykovácsi towards Anna-lak, and then joins the 44 km loop route.
Total elevation gain: 850 m (150+700 m).
The medium distance (49.2 km – 1,650 m elevation gain) consists of the 5.2 km lead-in lap and the 44 km "GRAND LOOP".
Total elevation gain: 1,650 m. (150 m + 1,500 m)
The long distance (73.2 km – 2,350 m elevation gain) consists of the 5.2 km lead-in lap (150 m elevation gain), the 44 km "GRAND LOOP" (1,500 m elevation gain), and a shortened 24 km section of the "GRAND LOOP" (700 m elevation gain). Total elevation gain of the course: 2,350 m.
Total elevation gain: 2,350 m. (150 m + 1,500 m + 700 m)
Please note that the lead-in lap for the long distance has a special section! See the news for exact details.
After completing the lead-in lap and the grand loop, the field passes through the finish line at Tisza Castle. The technical zone has also been set up here, after the feed station, on the left side of the course 20 m beyond the finish.
Course map
The current high-resolution detailed course map is available for download here in PDF format.
Course preview rides
Since the course sections pass through strictly protected nature conservation areas managed by the Pilis Park Forestry, you may only familiarise yourself with the terrain during organised group course preview rides held in the month before the race.
To participate, please coordinate with László Paulovits on behalf of the organisers. (tel.: +36 20 9265-359, e-mail: paulovitsl@gmail.com).
Please protect nature during both the course preview and the race! Do not litter, do not leave the designated routes, and pay close attention to the ancient meadows in the area, which are an irreplaceable natural treasure of this landscape!
During the course preview, you may encounter erosion gullies, logging debris, or deep vehicle tracks on the road, which will be repaired before race day but pose an increased risk of accidents during the preview. For your safety and that of other hikers, please ride at a careful, leisurely pace during the course preview!
If you notice a section of the course that you consider dangerous, requiring extra caution or special marking during the race, please let our friend László Paulovits know! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
The forestry authority permits course preview rides only at specific times, so please direct all questions about organised course previews to László Paulovits. (tel.: +36 20 9265-359, e-mail: paulovitsl@gmail.com).
Feed stations
Feed stations will be located at the following points on the course:
Mini distance (adult): 15.1 km / 300 m
1. 5.5 km Castle Park – finish area
Short distance: 29.2 km / 850 m
1. 5.5 km Castle Park – finish area
2. 14 km Anna-lak
3. 19 km Nagykopasz
Medium distance: 49.2 km / 1,650 m
1. 5.5 km Castle Park – finish area
2. 23 km Kutyahegy
3. 34 km Anna-lak
4. 39 km Nagykopasz
Long distance: 73.2 km / 2,350 m
1. 5.5 km Castle Park – finish area
2. 23 km Kutyahegy
3. 34 km Anna-lak
4. 39 km Nagykopasz
5. 49 km Castle Park – finish area
6. 56 km Anna-lak
7. 62 km Nagykopasz
Radio check points
Short distance: 29.2 km / 850 m
- 20 km junction below Nagykopasz (Radio 5)
Medium distance (49.2 km / 1,650 m)
- 30 km bottom of Budajenő climb (Radio 4)
- 40 km junction below Nagykopasz (Radio 5)
Long distance (73.2 km / 2,350 m)
- 30 km bottom of Budajenő climb (Radio 4)
- 40 km junction below Nagykopasz (Radio 5)
- 62 km junction below Nagykopasz (Radio 5)
Technical zone
One technical zone is designated on the course, in the garden of Tisza Castle, after the feed station on the opposite side.
Start order
Start times:
Pedelec 10:00
Long distance: 10:30
Medium distance: 10:45
Short distance: 11:00
Mini, Children and Family 11:10
ATTENTION!
After the e-bike start at 10:00, competitors in the remaining distances may move into their category's start box. 4 start boxes will be set up.
It is recommended to enter your category's start box no later than five minutes before the start.
The start boxes will be fenced off and can only be entered through the designated open gates.
The list of called-up competitors will be posted on the information board, and a separate waiting zone will be provided for them.
Please note that anyone who lifts their bike over the barriers will be moved to the back of the start.
TIME LIMIT FOR THE LONG DISTANCE!
Competitors who do not complete the first grand loop within the 3-hour 30-minute time limit will not be permitted to start the second lap of the long distance after 14:00.
In such cases, they will be called out by the race commissaire.
CLOSING OF ON-SITE REGISTRATION
On-site registration for each distance closes 20 minutes before its start! Please make sure to arrive at the race headquarters in good time if you wish to register on-site!
Rescue system
Every kilometre on the course is marked with a yellow A4 sign showing a FINISH LINE label and the remaining distance to the finish. In case of an accident, call the AMBULANCE number on the back of your race number: +36 30 202 61 95. The phone is answered by the medical dispatcher at the race headquarters, who is a trained paramedic. The most important information to provide in case of an accident is: between which kilometre markers the accident occurred, what injuries are visible, and whether the injured person is conscious. You may need to ride ahead to the next kilometre marker to determine this — only do so if someone stays with the injured person at the scene. Important! Do not report what your bike computer shows — that is not what the dispatcher needs!!!
Two off-road vehicles staffed with specialist nurses and a doctor are responsible for treating and evacuating the injured; an additional ambulance with a doctor and specialist nurse is on standby at the race headquarters.
Injuries can also be reported at 4 feed stations, 23 checkpoints and 5 radio points on the course — in this case too, please provide the kilometre section where the accident occurred.
Orienteering runners are on duty at the feed stations; they are familiar with the course layout and carry maps.
Race timing
Timing is done electronically, with the assistance of Tempo-Sport Kft.
Podium ceremony
13 JUNE 2026, SATURDAY
E-bike, mini, children and family categories: 14:00
Short distance: 15:00
Medium and long distance: 15:30
Bike wash
- You can easily find our bike wash station in the castle park by following the signs at the race headquarters.
- 8 wash stations are available at a time. The system runs off a fire hydrant, providing sufficient pressure for a much more thorough clean than you could manage at home.
Parking and road closures
Two parking zones will be set up on race day.Parking Zone 1
The car park of the Nagykovácsi American School next to the main road.
Parking Zone 2
Ady Endre Street
During the race, the area around the Szent-Sebestyén Chapel, Eötvös Street and the American School car park will be closed. For safe parking assistance on race day, please seek help from the Police or Emergency Services.
Contacts
Race Director
Mátyus Attila
Phone: +36 20 9 426 486
English Information:
Bárdos Iván
Phone: +36 30 9 661 270
Course information / course preview:
Paulovits László
Phone: +36 20 9 265-359
Registration:
Bakó Judit
e-mail: judit.bako@crosskovacsi.hu
Medical service (phone active during the race only)
Phone: +36 30 202 6195
Publishing information on the website / submitting public interest news:
marathon@crosskovacsi.hu
Race regulations
The regulations published on the website of the Hungarian Cycling Federation are available here.
Changes
The organising committee reserves the right to deviate from the above specifications. Due to external circumstances such as weather, health situation, sponsorship, etc., last-minute changes to the race programme may occur. Thank you for your understanding.