Wernigerode (Germany), Saturday 13 October 2012

Runners can pick up their bibs in Wernigerode's Rathaus (wood carving, 1936).

The Harz-Gebirgslauf brings runners to the densely-wooded Harz mountains, located on the former border between East and West Germany.

Last year's event had over 2700 participants.

Around 650 of them took part in the 42.2km Brocken-Marathon, a very challenging up-and-down mountain running race which features over 1000 metres of climbing (and the same of descent). Most of the route is on dirt roads and trails.

Start and finish are on the edge of Wernigerode, a picturesque town with many colourful half-timbered buildings and a fairy-tale castle on a hill above town.

Competitors run up to the summit of the Brocken (1141m) — the Harz's highest peak — and down again on the other side of the mountain. As it is often very cold and windy on the Brocken runners are well advised to carry gloves and a hat with them. The time limit to complete the course is six hours.

In addition to the marathon, the event offers 22km and 11km races (which are also very hilly), an undulating 5km run, a 2km children's run, and two walking routes.

In 2011, the Brocken Marathon winners were Ulf Kersten (2:49:14) and Diana Lehmann (3:25:03)

Country: Germany

Venue (Map): Wernigerode (131km from Hannover, 234km from Berlin, 262km from Hamburg, 319km from Frankfurt)

Date: 13 October 2012 (Saturday)

Distance: 42.2km; 22km; 11km; 5km; children 2km; walking 10/25km

Start time: 8.00 (walker), 9.00 (42km), 9.15 (2km), 9.45 (5km), 10.00 (11km), 10.15 (22km)

Start and finish: Himmelpforte, Wernigerode-Hasserode

Entries: online or by post; payment by bank transfer or credit card; late entries on 12 Oct 2012 (until 21.00); no entries on the day

Entry fees (42km): € 28/33/38 (until 31 Aug/until 30 Sep/on 12 Oct 2012)

Entry fees (22km): € 18/23/28 (until 31 Aug/until 30 Sep/on 12 Oct 2012)

Entry fees (11km): € 13/18/23 (until 31 Aug/until 30 Sep/on 12 Oct 2012)

Timing: EasyChip (included in the entry fees)

Race centre: on 12 Oct 2012 (14.00-21.00) in the Rathaus Wernigerode; on the day (from 7.30) at the start

You get: chip timing; finisher medal (42km and 2km run); beer and soup after the race; child care; accommodation option in the sports hall (before the race; € 2)

Prizes: trophies, certificates, product prizes

Showers, changing facilities, baggage storage: yes

Number of finishers 2011: 645 (42km), 795 (22km), 785 (11km), 293 (5km), 234 (2km), 215 walkers

Event website (in German): www.harz-gebirgslauf.de

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.