2026-03-06
Registration for the ninth edition of the OlyBet-supported “Women’s Challenge” opens on March 8
In mid-July, Palanga will once again become a hub of motorsport as the traditional “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race returns.
Alongside the action on the track, another beautiful tradition has taken shape: for nearly a decade, hundreds of women have been gathering to take part in an orienteering-style competition. This year, the OlyBet-supported “Women’s Challenge” will take place for the ninth time, as women’s crews from across Lithuania will cover more than one hundred kilometers on the roads of Western Lithuania while completing a variety of tasks.
A community born from the event
Organized since 2017, the event – open exclusively to women – has become not only an exciting orienteering competition but also a highly anticipated gathering for a growing women’s community. Many teams return to compete every year, while newcomer crews quickly realize that the most important elements of the event are not speed or driving skills, but teamwork, strategy and, perhaps most importantly, the right mindset.
“This year the OlyBet-supported ‘Women’s Challenge’ will take place for the ninth time. Over the years the event has grown, a strong community has formed and the format of the competition has become well established. In that sense, this year’s gathering serves as something of a prelude to the upcoming tenth anniversary,” says the organizer of the women’s race, Jolanta Iselionienė.
Each year participants set off on a specially prepared route through the coastal region, where they face orienteering, logic and creativity-based tasks. The organizer says that even teams that have been participating for many years still discover new places.
“We are often asked whether, after so many years, there are still unexplored roads left. The answer is simple: Lithuania has more stories and unexpected corners than might appear at first glance. Even a familiar place can become a completely new challenge when you encounter it through a creative or different kind of task,” explains J. Iselionienė.
As every year, this year’s gathering will also bring several new elements. The organizers will place greater emphasis on team strategy and the overall experience of the crews, aiming for participants not only to complete the route but also to experience a kind of story filled with unexpected decisions, with the day’s challenges culminating in a successful finish.
Anyone can participate, but places are limited
As the organizers emphasize, this is not a professional race, meaning any women’s team with a car and the desire to test their abilities can participate. It is important to note that the competition takes place in full compliance with traffic regulations, and the slalom tasks can be completed with any regular road car. Drivers also do not need prior experience in such events – very often this competition becomes the place where women first encounter amateur motorsport.
“Most often women hesitate because of experience – whether they need to be very good drivers or have strong navigation skills. In reality, the most important things are teamwork, attentiveness and the willingness to participate. Very often after the finish we hear happy remarks wondering why they didn’t try it earlier,” the organizer says with a smile.
This year the OlyBet-supported “Women’s Challenge” will take place on July 17 in Palanga during the weekend of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race. As before, the organizers limit participation to 100 crews.
After the race, participants will be invited to the official afterparty, scheduled for the evening of July 17 in Palanga at Vytauto g. 35. More details about the event will be revealed soon.
Registration for the ninth OlyBet-supported “Women’s Challenge” opens on March 8: https://racing.lt/lt/moteru-issukis/registracija