Czechia hosting Canicross World Championships in Pardubice
As the horse racing season winds down, dogs are set to take over the spotlight. This week the Pardubice racecourse will host the Canicross World Championships for the first time ever.
Close to a 1,000 competitors from 30 countries are expected to descend on the town of Pardubice in Central Bohemia for the 2025 Canicross World Championships due to take place from November 7 to November 9.
The event will be held at the renowned Pardubice Equestrian Club, a legendary venue closely tied to the world of horse racing and competitive sport. Surrounded by lush greenery, scenic trails, and deep pine forests, this location offers a challenging route for athletes and their canine teammates.
Michal Ženíšek, the event’s chief organizer, explains why they picked this particular location.
“We wanted a venue grand enough for the first world championship in this sport in the Czech Republic. Nine years ago, we hosted the European Championships in Vysočina Arena in Nové Město na Moravě. This time we needed something bigger and Pardubice was a clear choice. We wanted spectators to experience that energy up close — and Pardubice makes that possible. About 70 percent of the race is visible from the grandstands. Fourteen cameras along the course will provide live coverage, with intermediate times and standings displayed on a giant screen. So I think that fans are in for a treat”
Contesters from around the world will compete in Canicross, Bikejoring, and Scooterjöring disciplines, across various age categories (men, women, juniors, veterans). The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators many of whom are not familiar with the different disciplines.
“There are three categories – one in which a dog is harnessed to a runner; bikejöring, in which it runs ahead of a cyclist; and scooterjöring, when it runs ahead of a rider on a scooter. When people think of canicross, they picture sleds, snow, and dogs on frozen plains. That’s not really possible in the Czech climate anymore. But individual mushing is booming, ” Michal Ženíšek says.
The highlight of the championship will be on Sunday, with elite finals, national relays, and mass starts — where up to 60 competitors race head-to-head in a single heat.
Races begin Friday with youth and veterans’ categories, whose finals take place Saturday. The competitions are run over two rounds, with times combined for the final result.
The track style is similar to cyclocross — competitors can see each other throughout most of the race.
The European Championships In Nové Město drew 5,500 spectators — this time, they expect up to 10,000 visitors over three days.
A total of 940 athletes from 31 countries have registered, including over 100 Czech competitors. Visitors can park near the airport, with shuttle buses running to and from the racecourse throughout the event.
