Photo: Marina Reich / UnsplashTrail race calendar in Saxony-Anhalt 2026
Saxony-Anhalt hosts the main flank of the Harz, a mid-mountain massif with the Brocken (1,141 m) as its legendary summit. Home of the Harz-Gebirgslauf, northern Germany's most demanding mountain marathon.
Calendar updated September 2026
View on map2026 calendar: every race by date
| Date | Race | Town | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct 2026 | Harz-Gebirgslauf (Brocken-Marathon) | Wernigerode | 42.195K · 11K · 5K |
“The Brocken and its legends: northern Germany's toughest mountain marathon”
1.141 m
Brocken, Harz summit
+1.200 m
Harz-Gebirgslauf elevation gain
48ª ed.
Harz-Gebirgslauf history (2026)
1
Races
5 – 42.195 km
Distance range
100 – 1,200 D+
Elevation range
Oct
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
The Harz is Germany's northernmost mid-mountain massif, with the Brocken (1,141 m) as its mythical summit, tied to legends and extreme weather for its altitude. The terrain combines steady forested climbs, gorges like the Bodetal, and open stretches near the summit with views for kilometres. It's a massif with over 1,000 metres of accumulated elevation gain in long-distance races despite its modest altitude.
Key areas
Climate & best season
The Harz is famous for an extreme microclimate at the Brocken summit, with frequent wind and fog even in summer. October, when the Harz-Gebirgslauf takes place, usually brings cool temperatures and forests in colour, with the chance of early frost at higher elevations.
Trail culture
The Harz-Gebirgslauf, based in Wernigerode, has run for more than 45 editions and earned a reputation as northern Germany's most demanding mountain marathon thanks to over 1,200 metres of elevation gain. The Brocken, setting for Walpurgisnacht witch legends, draws both trail runners and hikers riding the historic steam train, giving the region a strong tourist identity alongside its sporting one.
Iconic races in the region
Race map
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Race calendar
View full Saxony-Anhalt 2026 calendar
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Related guides
Gear buying guides
Essential gear for trails in this area
The gear most used by runners in this region
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
New Balance
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
The model breaking into Spain's best-seller charts. Fresh Foam X midsole with a solid balance between cushioning and ground feel, a Vibram Megagrip outsole, and a comfortable last suited to wide feet. A reliable all-rounder for training runs and mountain races of any distance.
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