GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf May 2026 - Europe’s largest cross-country run

The GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf is presented on the organiser’s site as Europe’s largest cross-country run and a long-standing festival of trail running in the Thüringer Wald. The 53rd edition (GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf) is scheduled for 09 May 2026 and gathers multiple distances on a single event weekend, from youth and short cross races to a marathon and the signature Supermarathon. The Supermarathon is described in the event narrative as approximately 73.9 km (the site also cites a 72.7 km course-record reference), while the programme also lists a marathon (42.2 km) and a half marathon (21 km) among the principal races.

The finish village at Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig is emphasised as a central festival hub with strong regional character, local culinary traditions and a celebratory atmosphere for finishers. Start towns vary by distance (for example the Supermarathon traditionally starts in Eisenach/Wartburg) and the route follows the Rennsteig trail through the UNESCO-listed Thüringer Wald biosphere area. Organiser information, registration links and further event materials (programme, results, FAQs and athlete information) are available on the official Rennsteiglauf website maintained by Rennsteiglauf GmbH.