13th "Franconian Switzerland Marathon" 2012

Forchheim - Ebermannstadt (Germany), Sunday 2 September 2012

The Fränkische Schweiz Marathon brings runners to the Franconian Switzerland, a hilly region in northern Bavaria, popular for its rock formations, caves, castles, timber-framed houses, and its many breweries.

Entrants can choose between the marathon, the 16k run or the "Team-Marathon" for relay teams of two runners (16km+26km). The event also offers races for handcyclists, inline skaters, children and fun runners.

Start is in the pretty town of Forchheim, situated about 35 kilometres north of Nuremberg. The finish line is in the small town of Ebermannstadt, around twelve kilometres further north-east.

The route is gently undulating. From start to finish, it goes a bit uphill.

Most of the race is run on the B470, a main thoroughfare through the Fränkische Schweiz. For the time of the race, it will be closed to all traffic.

Participants in the 16k finish the race when they reach Ebermannstadt.

Marathoners carry on for another 26 kilometres out and back on the B470. The time limit to complete the course is five hours.

To celebrate the occasion, a historic diesel train will escort the runners along the valley, and there will be a number of village festivals as well.

Country: Germany

Venue (Map): Forchheim (Nuremberg 36km, Munich 203km, Frankfurt 205km, Leipzig 264km)

Date: 2 September 2012 (Sunday)

Distance: 42.2km; 16km; "Team-Marathon" (2-person-relay: 16+26km)

Start (42km, 16km, and Team Marathon): 9.00 on Paradeplatz in Forchheim

Finish: Ebermannstadt

Entries: online (for entrants with a German bank account) or by post or fax (until 26 August 2012); late entries on 1 Sep 2012; no entries on the day

Entry fees (42km): € 30/35/45 (until 31 July/26 August/1 September 2012)

Entry fees (16km): € 15/20/25 (until 31 July/26 August/1 September 2012)

Entry fees (Team Marathon): € 35/40/50 (until 31 July/26 August/1 September 2012)

Timing: ChampionChip - use your own chip or rent a chip for € 5 (€ 25 deposit)

Race centre: Hotel/Restaurant "Sonne", Hauptstraße 29, Ebermannstadt (1 Sep 12.00-19.00; on the day 6.00-7.15)

You get: bus service from Ebermannstadt to Forchheim (before the race); free use of public transport in the VGN region (Metropolregion Nürnberg) on the day; transport of personal clothing from the start to the finish; finisher medal; pasta party

Prizes (42km): to the first 3 M/F and to the first 3 M/F in each category

Prizes (16km): to the first 10 M/F

Prizes (42km): to the first 3 teams in each category (men/women/mixed)

Showers and changing facilities: yes

Award ceremony: ca. 15.00 in Ebermannstadt

Number of finishers 2011: 252 (42km), 389 (16km), 239 teams (42km Team-Marathon)

Event website: fs-marathon.de

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