53. GutsMuths Rennsteiglauf Intersport-Marathon

The 43rd GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig. As the most traditional landscape run in Germany, the event looks back on its inaugural edition from 1973 and has since developed into one of the country's most popular long-distance races ([marathon.de](https://www.marathon.de/laufevent/gutsmuths-rennsteiglauf/?utm_source=openai)). The marathon starts in Neuhaus am Rennweg and leads over challenging, partly hilly forest paths and ascents – a total of about 1,490 m of ascent and 989 m of descent must be overcome ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf?utm_source=openai)). In 2025, ideally early summer conditions prevailed, often with high spectator interest and summer weather, which contributed to positive running experiences (specific weather data for 2025 varies by source). For the 2026 edition, 2,728 participants were registered for the marathon, of which 2,704 reached the finish line – a very high finisher rate that underscores the popularity and quality of the event ([rennsteiglauf.de](https://www.rennsteiglauf.de/statistische-fakten-zum-43-gutsmuths-rennsteiglauf/?utm_source=openai)). There is no lottery – registration takes place regularly online, staggered by registration times, with early registrants receiving lower fees. The course is very attractive for runners who appreciate scenic diversity and moderate elevation gain while still seeking a sporting challenge.

74 km Ultramarathon, 42 km Marathon, 21 km Halbmarathon, weitere Kurzstrecken (Junior‑Cross, Mini‑Marathon etc.)