In September 2026, the eyes of the OCR community will turn towards Gniezno, a city of exceptional historical importance to Poland, recognized as the First Capital of the country, the place where the first Polish kings were crowned and a symbol of the origins of the Polish state. It is here, on September 26 and 27, 2026, that ARM RACE Selection 24H will take place alongside the accompanying 12H race held in both Elite and Open divisions.
The organizers emphasize that the choice of location is far from accidental, as the event was intended from the very beginning to be connected with a place carrying its own identity, history and atmosphere, all of which perfectly reflect the character of one of the most demanding OCR events in this part of Europe. For years, Gniezno has continued to strengthen its position on the Polish sporting map, while the rapid growth of the obstacle racing community has made the city a natural location for an event of such scale and significance.
ARM RACE Selection is a format built around long lasting physical effort, mental resilience and the ability to function under increasing levels of physical and psychological fatigue, which is why the organizers stress that this will not be just another traditional OCR race, but a complete endurance challenge aimed both at experienced ultra OCR athletes and participants willing to test their own limits within the Open division.
The competition will take place on a five kilometer loop located around Lake Winiary in Gniezno, where athletes will face thirteen obstacles placed throughout the course. The concept of the race may sound simple only in theory, as competitors will spend either 12 or 24 hours fighting to complete the highest possible number of full laps, with victory going to the athlete who finishes the most. In practice, this means a continuous battle against exhaustion, energy depletion, weather conditions and the pressure of maintaining pace and focus for many hours without significant rest.
The 24 hour race together with the parallel 12 hour format is expected to create a sporting spectacle combining professional organization, demanding technical elements and the atmosphere known from the biggest endurance OCR events. The course and infrastructure are being designed with a strong focus on maintaining high sporting standards, smooth race flow and athlete safety, while still preserving the extreme nature of the competition.
It is also particularly significant that the event will be organized with the support of the authorities of the City of Gniezno as well as the authorities of the Gniezno County, reflecting the growing importance of modern sporting events in promoting the region and engaging the local community. The co organizer of the event is Dynamic Strong Gniezno, a sports club that has for years been actively involved in the development of OCR, training children, youth and athletes competing at national and international level.
ARM RACE Selection 24H aims to become one of the most recognizable ultra OCR projects in Central Europe, combining endurance sport, the historical identity of the location and the unique atmosphere of a city that for centuries has symbolized strength, courage and the building of lasting foundations. The organizers underline that the event is intended to be not only a test of physical endurance, but also a project demonstrating how modern sport can coexist with a place of immense historical and cultural significance.
