Ottonenlauf — Supermarathon in the Harz Mountains

From the Harz Ridge to the World Heritage Site

The Ottonenlauf is one of the most scenically spectacular ultra-marathons in Germany. The premier route, approximately 69 kilometers long, follows the Selketal-Stieg trail from the small Harz plateau village of Stiege (municipality of Oberharz am Brocken) down into the valley — through dense mixed forest, past rock formations and romantic castle ruins, through 13 villages in the Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt, down into the foothills to the grand finale: the market square of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg.

Three Distances — One Goal

The concept is ingenious: Three starting points are staggered along the same route, allowing every runner to choose the format that suits them best — and everyone finishes together in Quedlinburg. From the High Harz, down through the Selke Valley into the foothills, from forest and woodland paths through small Harz villages to the palace silhouette of the World Heritage town.

Supermarathon — 69 km

The Supermarathon starts at 7:00 AM at the train station in Stiege — a traditional terminus village of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (Harz Narrow Gauge Railways). From here, it's the full 69-kilometer distance to Quedlinburg via the Selketal-Stieg trail. A true ultra-distance with considerable elevation gain, demanding both stamina and good footwear.

Marathon — 45 km

The Marathon starts at 10:00 AM in Alexisbad, a charming spa town in the Selke Valley with a historic station on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways. Approximately 45 km to the finish — slightly longer than the classic 42.195 km of a city marathon, but on soft forest ground and with Selke Valley romance.

Half Marathon — 26 km

The Half Marathon (actually a long half marathon) also starts at 10:00 AM in Meisdorf — at the local sports ground. At 26 km, it's the most beginner-friendly distance for ambitious hobby runners who want to experience the Selke Valley without tackling the ultra-distance.

The Route — the Selketal-Stieg

The Selketal-Stieg is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Harz Mountains. It leads along the Selke River through deeply cut valleys, across high plateaus, past castles like Falkenstein and Anhalt, through villages like Harzgerode, Ballenstedt, and Meisdorf, down to the World Heritage town. Those who run here are literally running through a piece of living Saxon-Anhalt history.

The Finish Line in Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg is not just the endpoint of the route, but its true purpose. The medieval old town with over 2,000 half-timbered houses, Stiftsberg hill with the Romanesque collegiate church, and the castle hill have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. The Ottonians — the imperial dynasty that gave the race its name and shaped the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from Quedlinburg in the 10th century — resided here.

A Sporting Event with Historical Awareness

The Ottonenlauf is more than just a sporting event — it's an ode to the cultural landscape of the Harz and the medieval history of Saxony-Anhalt. It is organized by the volunteer-run Selketal-Stieg-Lauf e.V., which maintains a remarkably high standard of route marking, catering, finish line checks, and organization.