Since 2006 the Kajkavijana race has been held in June. It's an Ultra MTB marathon, orientation type race and traditionally only the best riders participate.
Organised by BK Asi from Varaždin the race was a challenge to coordinate; but now, ten years later the race has become more and more popular. Last year's race saw 140 participants which was a record, though good weather and new ideas could bring the number of racers for 2016 much higher.
The Marathon of Marathons
The speciality of Kajkavijana that makes her different from other MTB Marathons is that the racers need to finish in the time deadline of 10, 12 or 24 hours (depending on the category) certain checkpoints in three counties – Varaždinska, Krapinsko-Zagorska and Zagrebačka with the start and finish being in the centre of Varaždin.
The start of the longest category (245km) named Kajkavijana (Tour of Kaj, the tour of Kaj dialect) starts at midnight from Friday to Saturday. The other two categories start in the Saturday morning at 8:00, the Mala Kajkavijana (135) and in 10:00 "My first Kaj marathon" (85). The biggest addition this year is the first „road“ Kajkavijana race under the name „TOUR de KAJ“ that challenges the riders to hit the roads of the three counties over 260 kilometres of distance.
The biggest addition this year is the first "road" Kajkavijana race under the name "TOUR de KAJ" that challenges the riders to hit the roads of the three counties over 260 kilometres of distance.
The biggest challenge of Kajkavijana race is to ride to the top of the "Kaj Mountains" in the region with Ivanščica, Kalnik, Medvednica and many more smaller or bigger climbs.
Festival of Cycling in Varaždin
Racers, teams and fans come to Varaždin from all over the region starting early Friday afternoon. In 2015 the start was moved to the newly remodelled Kapucinski Square where the programme is held during the race.
