Harz-Gebirgslauf

Prepare your iron lungs and the stubborn spirit of adventure as we take you on the most mystical and feared endurance challenge in northern Germany. Dense forests, steep trails, and often unpredictable weather in the Harz massif await you for an epic test where physical effort playfully borders on ancient legends! 🏃‍♂️🌲

Headed to the romantic town of Wernigerode, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt 🇩🇪. The festive program invites you to tackle an absolute autumn calendar myth, the Harz-Gebirgslauf, whose crown jewel is the terrifying and majestic Brocken-Marathon. Put aside easy pacing and flat-road desires in the back of your locker. Your body will have to conquer the mythical distance of 42,2 km paired with nearly 1 200 meters of positive elevation gain on rocky trails to dare the northern country's highest point! ⏱️

The muddy earth trail and treacherous roots thrust you into a fairy-tale-like setting, sometimes dark. Your effort will push you away from the comforts of charming half-timbered houses and deep into the national park, steadily climbing toward the summit of Brocken (1 141 m above sea level). The immersion becomes totally magical, and often chilly, as you encounter the famous narrow-gauge steam train puffing thick smoke through the fog.

Forget the dense crowds of big urban marathons; here, solidarity in the face of nature's ruggedness takes priority. Warm cheers from hikers and snowed-in volunteers will warm your heart at each aid station. A raw, proud atmosphere welcomes you under the finish arch, where the immense achievement of taming the summit instantly erases the pain 🏅.

Keep a final survival instinct to honor mountain traditions once your medal is earned. Carry your exhausted body to the recovery tent to devour the legendary and fiery Erbsensuppe traditionally cooked in a field kitchen. Above all, celebrate your epic victory by toasting with a good Hasseröder the iconic beer brewed right in Wernigerode.