Photo: ArthurMcGill / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab)Simmerath-Einruhr
Rursee-Marathon
Sunday, 8 November 2026
Race data
Terrain
Trail
Difficulty
Intermediate
Distance
4 modalities
Ultra 52K
- Distance
- 52 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 540m
- Max Time
- -
Marathon 42K
- Distance
- 42.2 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 370m
- Max Time
- -
16,5K
- Distance
- 16.5 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 160m
- Max Time
- -
5K
- Distance
- 5 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 50m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra 52K | 52 km | D+ 540m | - | - |
| Marathon 42K | 42.2 km | D+ 370m | - | - |
| 16,5K | 16.5 km | D+ 160m | - | - |
| 5K | 5 km | D+ 50m | - | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~8 h of Rursee-Marathon?Worked out for the longest course (52 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchYour checklist for Rursee-Marathon
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Garmin Forerunner 570
Full-color topo maps, a first for the Forerunner line
Downside: Shorter battery life than a Forerunner 965 with maps on
Gear
Gravel tracks by the water and damp trails: a cushioned trail shoe, no need for an extreme mud model
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
Nutrition
One gel every 40-45 minutes after the first hour
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
Maurten Gel 100
Tecnología de hidrogel: excelente tolerancia gástrica
Downside: Precio elevado respecto a otros geles
Sun Protection
Cold and wind crack your lips: use a balm with SPF
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+
Specifically formulated for altitude and cold
Downside: Thicker texture, takes longer to absorb
Body Care
Thermal arm warmers: roll them down without stopping once you warm up
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Easy-to-apply stick format, even with sweaty hands
Downside: Higher price than traditional petroleum jelly
Car Rental
Book early: local supply runs out on race weekends
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
DRIVALIA Alquiler de vehículos por Suscripción CarCloud Country Plus
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Rursee-Marathon requires mandatory gear: get it sorted early
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Historical weather
What to wear at 10 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
6°C – 11°C
Average 8°C
Rain
27%
0.9 mm avg
Wind
22 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
6h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring thermal layers (low of 6°C)
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Buff tubular térmico con tecnología Primaloft. Retiene el calor corporal, ultraligero y polivalente: gorro, braga, cinta. Ideal para alta montaña.
Craft
Craft Pro Hypervent LS Wind Top
Thermal top with a windproof ripstop panel on the chest and a highly ventilated soft jersey back. Built for high-intensity sessions in cold, windy conditions, with long cuffs and thumb loops.
HANKER
HANKER Braga de Cuello Térmica
Unisex thermal seamless neck gaiter in Soft Air Plus fabric (97% polyester). Seamless fit designed for trail running, cycling, motorcycling and outdoor sports. A budget alternative to Buff for moderate cold.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Odlo
Odlo Active Warm Eco
Camiseta térmica de manga larga con tejido reciclado y tratamiento antiolor. Regulación térmica activa, ideal como capa base en montaña.
Odlo
Odlo I-Thermic Longsleeve Mujer
Women's long-sleeve thermal top with insulating panels placed over cold-sensitive areas (lower back and kidneys). A mid-layer built for genuinely cold winter conditions, mountain outings or cross-country-style trail sessions.
ROCKBROS
ROCKBROS Pasamontañas Térmico y Cortaviento
Thermal windproof balaclava covering head, ears, cheeks and neck. Designed for cycling and motorcycling, it works just as well on windy, freezing trail runs.
Salomon
Salomon Agile LS Tee
Lightweight quick-dry polyester long-sleeve tee with underarm mesh, a side pocket and reflective details. Works as a standalone layer in mild cold or as a base layer under a windbreaker on colder days.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Run Tight
Mallas largas de trail con tejido elástico y transpirable. Cintura ajustable, bolsillo trasero con cremallera. Protección contra el frío y la vegetación.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Warm Glove
Guantes térmicos de running con palma antideslizante y puntas táctiles. Ligeros, cálidos y compatibles con bastones.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock
Compression thermal top with a dual-layer fabric: ultra-warm brushed interior and quick-dry exterior. Second-skin compression fit with stretch mesh panels at the back and underarms for ventilation without losing warmth.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock Hombre
Men's high-neck thermal compression top: brushed interior that holds heat and a quick-dry outer. Base layer for cold-weather runs.
Forecast for 8 November
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Rursee-Marathon
The Rursee-Marathon is the second-largest marathon in the Eifel and one of the most beautiful in Germany. Since 1997 it has been held on the first weekend of November in Einruhr, a village in Simmerath on the shore of the Obersee, and its course circles the Rursee, Urftsee and Obersee reservoirs inside Eifel National Park.
A course among the lakes
- Ultra 52K (even years, including 2026): the marathon plus an extra loop through the national park, with around 540 m of climbing.
- Marathon 42.2K: about 370 m of climbing on forest tracks and lakeside paths.
- 16.5K and 5K, plus Nordic walking and kids’ races.
It is not a technical trail: it is a rolling scenic marathon, fast if your legs cooperate, with short climbs that start to bite in the second half.
November in the Eifel
Expect 3-8 °C, early-morning fog over the lakes and a chance of rain. It is autumn racing at its purest: thin layers, a windproof and light gloves make all the difference.
The Eifel beyond the race
Monschau, with its half-timbered houses over the Rur, and Vogelsang, a former Nazi school turned national park visitor centre, are must-sees. Find more races in North Rhine-Westphalia, the rest of Germany and plan your season with the race planner.
Mandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
Recommended: November in the Eifel brings wind, rain and 3-8 °C
360Complete Pack
Rursee-Marathon 2026 registration
RegistrationRegistration opens in spring and, as one of the last races of the year in the region, marathon places fill up before autumn.
Tips
- •Secure your bib before September
- •The 16.5K is perfect for companions
Where to stay for Rursee-Marathon
AccommodationEinruhr and Rurberg have guesthouses and apartments by the lake; Monschau, 15 minutes away, has more hotels and a beautiful old town.
Tips
- •Monschau is the best base if you travel with family
- •Off season: ask for a two-night rate with breakfast
Gear for Rursee-Marathon
GearRunnable mid-mountain terrain: forest tracks, rooty singletrack and short climbs. A versatile, well-cushioned trail shoe beats an extreme mud shoe here.
Tips
- •Gravel tracks by the water and damp trails: a cushioned trail shoe, no need for an extreme mud model
- •If it rains the week before, go for 4-5 mm lugs
- •Technical trail socks to avoid blisters on the descents
Which shoes for Rursee-Marathon?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Rursee-Marathon?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Nutrition for Rursee-Marathon
NutritionUnder 4-5 hours of racing, well-timed gels and an isotonic drink are enough; the key is not running empty in the final third.
Tips
- •One gel every 40-45 minutes after the first hour
- •Recovery drink within 30 minutes of finishing
How to get to Simmerath-Einruhr
TransportThe nearest airports are Cologne/Bonn (CGN) and Düsseldorf (DUS), 1-1.5 hours away; Maastricht and Liège are also options. There is a regional bus from Aachen to Einruhr, but a car is the most practical.
Tips
- •Aachen is 40 minutes by car
- •Park early: the village is small and fills up
Car rental in the Eifel
Car RentalA rental car gives you freedom to get around the Eifel, reach the start early and combine the race with some sightseeing.
Tips
- •Book early: local supply runs out on race weekends
- •Pick the car up at your arrival airport to save transfers
Sports insurance for Rursee-Marathon
InsuranceGermany has no mandatory racing licence, but the organisers do not cover your medical costs or a rescue. Sports or travel insurance covering competitions is essential if you travel from abroad.
Tips
- •Carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC)
- •Check that your policy covers mountain rescue and competitions
Sun protection for Rursee-Marathon
Sun ProtectionEven when it is cold, autumn and winter sun burns, especially with snow reflecting it. An SPF50 stick and lip balm take up almost no space.
Tips
- •Cold and wind crack your lips: use a balm with SPF
- •Stick on your face before the start, even if the day dawns cloudy
Body care for Rursee-Marathon
Body CareCold and damp stiffen muscles, and wet clothing multiplies chafing. Protect skin and feet and look after recovery.
Tips
- •Thermal arm warmers: roll them down without stopping once you warm up
- •Compression socks and recovery sandals after the race
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Rursee-Marathon 2026?
- On Sunday 8 November 2026, starting and finishing in Einruhr (Simmerath), in the Eifel.
- Is there an ultra in 2026?
- Yes. The 52 km ultra is held every two years and 2026 is an ultra year: it extends the marathon with a loop through Eifel National Park.
- How hard is the Rursee-Marathon?
- It is a hilly marathon with about 370 m of climbing: tougher than a road marathon, but manageable for any marathoner with some trail in their legs.
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