Trail 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
For cold and dark miles
Headlamp, thermal layer and a good watch: what matters when daylight runs short.
#1 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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2026 calendar: every race by date
1 upcoming races
No races match these filters.
For your vertical km
Poles, grippy shoes and a light vest for a 1,000 m climb.
#1 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a short race
Shoes, socks and sun protection: just what you need to run fast.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallCompressport Pro Racing Socks V3.0 TrailView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a mid-distance race
Shoes, vest and hydration for 21-42 km without suffering.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a long race
Vest, headlamp and nutrition for all those hours in the mountains.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For your ultra
A watch with battery to spare, a powerful headlamp and poles: the gear that can't fail.
- #1 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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Essential gear for trails in this area
Most-bought gear for running in oct.
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.
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.
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.
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Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
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Races by area
Races in Harz
Race map
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About the region Saxony-Anhalt
“The Brocken and its legends: northern Germany's toughest mountain marathon”
Key facts about the region
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