Trail running highlight: Zugspitz Ultratrail with record participants!

Trail running highlight: Zugspitz Ultratrail with record participants!

What a spectacle that will unfold in picturesque Garmisch-Partenkirchen on June 11, 2025! On this day the starting signal is fired Zugspitz Ultra Trail, Germany's largest trail running event. A new record will be set this year with around 5,000 participants from 66 nations. The event is completely booked, and even the additional starting places couldn't prevent registration from being so popular.

They also extend beyond the border! The nations with the highest number of participants are Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the USA, Switzerland, France and Poland. Fans from all over the world come together to compete in the impressive mountain landscape and experience the unique atmosphere of the trail. The tests here are varied - a total of seven competitions are on the program.

Highlights of the event

Among the competitions, this one stands outZUT100, a 100 mile run. The last three races will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025:

• Grainau Trail: 16 km, 760 Höhenmeter, Start um 12 Uhr in Grainau.
• Mittenwald Trail: 44 km, 1860 Höhenmeter, Start um 7 Uhr in Mittenwald.
• Leutasch Trail: 68 km, 2870 Höhenmeter, Start um 9 Uhr in Leutasch/Weidach.

The special thing about the Mittenwald Trail: It will be broadcast live on YouTube from 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, moderated by trail running expert Markus Oster. There is also a live center on the official Zut website with real-time intermediate results and finishes.

Night Run and personal experiences

But the fun doesn't just start on Saturday. It will take place on Thursday eveningNight Runinstead, organized byledlenserglobal. All trail enthusiasts start the night at 9 p.m. It's an opportunity for everyone to be there and enjoy the fascination of running in the dark together. The author of this article also plans to take part in the Night Run and is looking forward to the exciting atmosphere.

A competition until Thursday at 10 p.m. also offers the chance to win a headlamp - perfect for your nighttime adventure! Who knows, you might see one or two of them in the spotlight as participants admire the breathtaking landscape.

The nature and the impressive backdrop are not only a challenge, but also a pleasure. A participant who took part in an ultratrail for the first time three years ago emphasized how much the route and the experience shaped him. “You shouldn’t miss the wonderful landscape,” he advises the participants as they walk through the alpine backdrop.

Additionally, the GoTrail site provides a comprehensive overview of trail running events in Germany, with 274 unique events that attract both experienced runners and newcomers. Anyone looking for further challenges will find what they are looking for in large cities such as Munich and Frankfurt.

The Zugspitz Ultratrail is more than just a sporting event. It's a celebration of community, passion, and the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of nature while testing your own limits. If you haven't registered yet, you should hurry up - places go faster than you can say "trail running"!