Chudy Wawrzyniec 2026

You’ve got the genes of a true warrior and you’re looking for a running challenge that will test your limits in raw mountain terrain? 

Chudy Wawrzyniec is one of the most iconic, technical, and atmospheric ultra races in Poland 🏅! The start is located in Rajcza and the finish in charming Ujsoły—setting the scene for a true mountain celebration. The most unique feature of Chudy is that you decide on the distance (over 50 km or over 80 km) only at the 40th kilometer of the route, right at the trail junction! You’ll face murderous climbs up Wielka Rycerzowa and Muńcuł, technical descents over rocks and roots, and uncompromising, wild nature 🏁.

Rajcza and Ujsoły are picturesque mountain municipalities located in the southern part of the Żywiec region, right by the border with Slovakia. You can get here from Żywiec in just 30 minutes, from Bielsko-Biała in under an hour, and from Katowice in about 1 hour and 45 minutes 🚗. Once you proudly cross the finish line in Ujsoły, quench your thirst at the local festival, and hang the longed-for medal around your neck, this corner of the Beskids will offer you brilliant relaxation:

A shepherd’s hut reset with the family: If your legs can still cooperate for a bit, head out the next day for a walk to the PTTK mountain hut on Krawcowy Wierch or to Wielka Rycerzowa ⛰️. Trails from the Glinka Pass or from Soblówka are relatively gentle, and the views of the Tatras and the Malá Fatra from the summit meadows are breathtaking. For kids, meeting grazing sheep is a huge thrill!

A romantic getaway by the stream for two: Take your better half to the Geopark in Glinka 🌊. It’s a former quarry transformed into a fantastic recreation center. You’ll find a charming little lake there, the region’s longest zip line (for the brave after the race!), and open-air swimming pools—perfect for cooling tired muscles in the arms of your loved one.

Żywiec traditions: On the way back, be sure to make a stop in Żywiec 🏰. A walk through the castle park, a visit to the Old Habsburg Castle, or a tour of the famous Żywiec Brewery Museum is a great, low-effort way to spend the afternoon.

A real highlander bandit-style calorie feast: Chudy Wawrzyniec burns thousands of calories, which means it’s time for merciless carb loading 🤔! In Beskid inns, be sure to order traditional kwaśnica with smoked bison (rib), hearty bandit-style potato pancakes with forest goulash, or regional bryndza dumplings generously topped with cracklings.

Get your shoes with an aggressive tread ready, pack your backpack with the mandatory kit, and report to this legendary Beskid start … 🌲 The Żywiec Mountains will test your character!