Zugspitz Trailrun Challenge

The Zugspitz Trailrun Challenge is Just Around the Corner

News Release / 20.07.2015

Only four days left till the second ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE. Ranging from the VIKING Kids Race, the AOK CITY Race (with German biathlon vice world champion Laura Dahlmeier), SCOTT Rock the Top Marathon, and the Vertical Challenge to the shorter distances - at this event, every trail fan is sure to find the right race. Visitors are guaranteed to enjoy themselves tremendously off the trails as well with the Trails in Motion Film Tour, an extensive expo with manufacturers, and products from the trail scene for information and testing, plus the TRAIL Lounge with Trail-Magazin editor Denis Wischniewski.

From Friday, July 24th to Sunday, July 26th, it’s going to be all about the trail running festival at the Zugspitze, the ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE. In this second edition, PLAN B event company GmbH and the host towns of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Ehrwald, and Grainau will be offering all a runner's heart could desire with five different courses and an extensive program of fringe events on the theme of trail running.

Thursday evening will feature the trail running film tour, TRAILS IN MOTION, which takes place on all the continents of the world and will come to Germany for the ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE. Visitors can also look forward to the best movies about trail running and ultra running which will be showing in the Richard Strauss Concert Hall at 7:30 PM. On Friday, the youngsters will kick off the day of sporting events. Afterwards, the adults will also get a chance to run: in the AOK City Race on the trail through the center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the likes of competitive athlete Sonja von Opel and recreational athletes of all age classes. Teams of at least three members such as the Hohenried clinic, Bayerische Zugspitzbahn, (operator of the trains and cable cars in Garmisch and Grainau) along with the AOK Bayern state health insurer and the Langmatz company can compete against each other.

“I am very happy that our biathlon star, Laura Dahlmeier, has confirmed her participation. The racer from Garmisch-Partenkirchen will run the 3 km (1.86 mi.) downtown course for the AOK state health insurer at the AOK City Run“, announces Udo Nagelschmidt, AOK regional director. He adds: “With this, she will be setting a prominent example that fits in very nicely with the orientation of the ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE as an event for the general public.“

The highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday: the SCOTT Rock the Top MARATHON. The racers will need to overcome a distance of 42.195 km (26.219 mi.) plus a substantial 3809 m (12,496.72 ft.) of elevation change from Ehrwald (start at 6 AM) to the top of the Zugspitze.  A mere three hours later, things are going to get really tough for the mountain runners.

In the SCOTT Rock the Top VERTCIAL CHALLENGE, the mountain run to the top of the Zugspitze, racers can look forward to a challenging climb of 15.8 km (9.8 mi.) with 2127 m (6978.4 ft.) of elevation change.

"The SCOTT Rock the Top Marathon has everything that a true trail race needs, as combining this classic distance with the breathtaking alpine landscape and the large elevation change is totally unique in the national running scene,” explains Denis Wischniewski. Denis adds: “The ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE proves once more that you don't necessarily have to always run an ultra-distance for a true challenge!".

“I am really looking forward to the second edition of the ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE. After the premiere, we were in a better position to take account of the participants’ and host towns’ needs and wishes so that now, I am sure, we have a trail running event that is much more attractive for the whole family,” explains David Stiehler of the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tourism Office and in charge of Sports & Events. He adds: “From the very beginning, we have found it important to address families as a whole, and not just individual members. From the AOK City Race all the way to the extreme marathon to the top of the Zugspitze, all in the family can romp and have fun to their heart's delight.“

“I will be pleased if a large group of runners can line up at the Start to climb the highest peak in Germany together,” says Stiehler, also addressing individuals who prefer to decide on the spur of the moment. There will be a last-minute opportunity to register on spontaneously for any of the races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Ehrwald. Of course, this also includes the Half-Marathon with a distance of 22 km (13.7 mi.) and the Short-Distance race of 10.1 km (6.3 mi.) that starts and ends in Ehrwald on Sunday.

“We can barely wait until the second edition of our ZUGSPITZ TRAILRUN CHALLENGE. Trail running newcomers can take their first try at mountain running here, while seasoned runners can take a poke at the marathon … there will be something for everyone. Be it the short distance or the Rock the Top Marathon, every course takes runners along magnificent trails through an absolutely unique, alpine landscape,” promises Katrin Perktold, Manager of the Tirol Zugspitz Arena. She adds: “This event will focus on "our" peak, the Zugspitze with its majestic panorama: together with our partner regions of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Grainau, we are all looking forward to this highlight in our calendar of events.“

You can find more information at www.zugspitz-trailrun-challenge.com or https://www.facebook.com/zugspitztrailrunchallenge­