Details and Course Profile \/ OutdoorActive<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Course Description<\/h3>\n
Before the starting shot is fired in the area outside GutsMuths-Hall in Neuhaus, the crowd will first sing and sway to the music. A tradition \u2013 no marathoner will set out on the course unless there has been the \u201cSnow Waltz\u201d \u2013 an unparalleled atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Firing the starting shot, WSV Neuhaus winter sports club each year sends about 3,000 runners through the large four-metre-wide starting gate onto their 42.2 km route to Schmiedefeld.<\/p>\n
From the starting area the race initially enters the \u201cnarrow\u201d street leading out of Neuhaus. There is a nearly 6 km stretch to be run on a road surface before, after the first drink station at \u201cSandwieschen\u201d (km 5.81 \/ 777 m above sea level), the race continues on a forest trail. At km 10.63 participants reach the first food station at \u201cDreistromstein\u201d (812 m), which is looked after by WSV Scheibe-Alsbach winter sports club.<\/p>\n
Refreshed, participants tackle uphills and downhills towards \u201cEisfelder Ausspanne\u201d (km 15.76 \/ 752 m) and from there continue uphill to the highest elevation of the Marathon course, the \u201cEselsberg\u201d (km 18.3 \/ 841 m) with its Rennsteigwarte observation tower, a landmark on the Rennsteig trail. A food station is set up here by SG \u201cRennsteig\u201d Masserberg sports group and there is split timing.<\/p>\n
Now the route is downhill. When crossing the road at Rennsteighaus (km 19.25 \/ 785) runners have already tackled a 56 m elevation change.<\/p>\n
Passing the meadow behind Masserberg the race moves towards the next drink station at Schwalbenhauptwiese (km 22.2 \/ 703 m), where Wanderverein Schleusegrund hiking club distributes refreshments. But participants need to be alert. Before arriving at the drink station they have to tackle a hollow-way downhill over rough and smooth and roots. A real cross-country trail indeed.<\/p>\n
In parallel with the road the Rennsteig leads towards Neustadt. The route crosses the road at Kahlert \u00fcber den Tannengrund and then continues to where it enters Neustadt. On the fairground there is the food station (km 28.3 \/ 805 m) set up by Laufgruppe Neustadt runners group.<\/p>\n
Following the refreshment the climb via Gro\u00dfer Burgberg (818 m) can now be tackled. It is a steep uphill and tends to be taken at walking pace. But the next drink station at \u201cDreiherrenstein\u201d (km 33.4 \/ 810 m), which is looked after by IG St\u00fctzerbach, is not far away.<\/p>\n
From there, the route is slightly downhill towards Frauenwald. At the \u201cMonument am Bohrstuhl\u201d (km 37.1 \/ 786 m) Frauenw\u00e4lder SV sports club distributes a last refreshment to the runners. Those who wish may have a \u201csip\u201d of K\u00f6stritzer Schwarzbier black lager beer here as an energy boost for the last few kilometres to Schmiedefeld.<\/p>\n
Schmiedefeld, the finish \u2013 just across the level crossing and a left turn into \u201cReitallee\u201d street. The uphill to the sports ground from 622 m above sea level to 711 m above sea level is a real challenge for every marathoner.<\/p>\n
The finish area buzz can be heard already. The final stretch of the course lined by a big crowd of cheering spectators, every runner will go all-out. Just half a lap to go and then cross the finish line.<\/p>\n
\nElevation Difference<\/h3>\n
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