GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf

Attrattive

The Rennsteig is a ridgeway on the high ground of the Thuringian Forest, the Thuringian Slate Mountains and the Franconian Forest. It extends 168.3 km in northwest-to-southeast direction between the rivers Werra and Saale. In mid-May every year it magically attracts over ten thousand trail enthusiasts from Germany and all over the world. They are participants in the GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf race. What once was an adventure taken by four Jena students has in over 40 years developed into one of the major German running events.

Panoramica

From the starting area the race initially enters the “narrow” 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 “Sandwieschen” (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 “Dreistromstein” (812 m), which is looked after by WSV Scheibe-Alsbach winter sports club. Refreshed, participants tackle uphills and downhills towards “Eisfelder Ausspanne” (km 15.76 / 752 m) and from there continue uphill to the highest elevation of the Marathon course, the “Eselsberg” (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 “Rennsteig” Masserberg sports group and there is split timing. Now the route is downhill. When crossing the road at Rennsteighaus (km 19.25 / 785) runners have already tackled a 56 m elevation change. 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. In parallel with the road the Rennsteig leads towards Neustadt. The route crosses the road at Kahlert über 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. Following the refreshment the climb via Großer 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 “Dreiherrenstein” (km 33.4 / 810 m), which is looked after by IG Stützerbach, is not far away. From there, the route is slightly downhill towards Frauenwald. At the “Monument am Bohrstuhl” (km 37.1 / 786 m) Frauenwälder SV sports club distributes a last refreshment to the runners. Those who wish may have a “sip” of Köstritzer Schwarzbier black lager beer here as an energy boost for the last few kilometres to Schmiedefeld. Schmiedefeld, the finish – just across the level crossing and a left turn into “Reitallee” 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. 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.