GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf
A unique cross-country race over the scenic wooded hills of the Thüringer
Wald in the heart of Germany.
What is the GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf?
The GUTSMUTHS-RENNSTEIGLAUF is a cross-country race named after GutsMuth. It is run along the Rennsteig, a long-distance walking - or running! - route that traverses the Thüringer Wald (the name given to Thüringen´s romantic, wooded part of the mid-German hills). The GutsMuths is the longest cross-country race in Central Europe, and quite certainly one of the most beautiful. Each year those who participate as runners or walkers number around 15,000. In Eastern Germany it has acquired an almost religious significance. Run regularly since the 1970´s, it was the GDR´s biggest amateur sporting event and those who reached the finishing line were accorded high esteem in sporting circles. Still, today, people are proud to be branded "a GutsMuths runner."
What are the distances run?
Pride of place is taken by the
Super Marathon, which starts in Eisenach. Distance: 72,7 kilometres;
altitude at start 150 m above sea level, highest point reached 970 m;
altitude of finishing point in Schmiedefeld 740 m. Run by around 1500
people.
Then there is the Marathon, of course, which starts at Neuhaus
am Rennweg. Distance: 43,5 km); starting altitude 830 m, highest altitude
850 m, altitude at finish 740 m in Schmiedefeld. Run by around 3500 participants.
And then the Half Marathon - to accommodate the new or older runner
or the running enthusiast unable to leave behind the strains of office
life for long. The Half Marathon begins in Oberhof. Distance 21,1 kilometres;
starting altitude 820 m, highest altitude 970 m, altitude at finish 740
m in Schmiedefeld. Run by around 6000 participants.
But even that is not all - there are organised walks from 17 to
35 km or so in length and cross-country runs for children (from
two-thirds of a mile to about three miles - i.e. between 1 and 9 km)
A great day guaranteed - well organised, too.
One of the trademarks of the GUTSMUTHS-RENNSTEIGLAUF is the community atmosphere - there is actually a party for the runners the night before and a folk festival to accompany the finish, with community support all the way along for the field of runners.
When is the GUTSMUTHS-RENNSTEIGLAUF taking place?
The 40th GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf
on 12th May, 2012
The 41th GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf on 25th May, 2013
The 42th GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf on 17th May, 2014
The 43th GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf on 09th May, 2015
Further Information
Full details, on-line registration, and results service available on the Internet.
To order information or registration forms by post, write to:
GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf, Schmückestrasse 74, D-98711 Schmiedefeld.
Phone: +49-36782-61237
Fax: + 49-36782-6427
E-mail:info@rennsteiglauf.de
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