Jan Vancura

I spent part of my childhood in the Krkonoše Mountains on the Czech–Polish border, where my bond with the mountains first took shape. Those landscapes gave me a lasting sense of freedom, curiosity, and respect for the natural world — values that still define the way I move through life and sport. In my teenage years, I was drawn to hiking, which later grew into high-altitude trekking in the Alps and climbing in the mountains. Running had always been part of my life as well, although my early years were rooted mainly in road running, a discipline with a deep tradition in the Czech Republic. In 2024, trail running and mountain ultramarathons became the natural meeting point of these worlds. They brought together everything that had shaped me over the years: a love of mountains, long alpine journeys, climbing, and endurance through running. Inspired by friends who encouraged me to step onto the trails, I now focus primarily on this remarkable sport.