Riesenbecker Sixdays — 6 Stages, 140 Kilometers

Sixdays — 6 Stages, 6 Days, 140 Kilometers

The Riesenbecker Sixdays are a unique Münsterland running format: six running stages on six consecutive days, totaling around 140 kilometers. Those who complete all six stages will have covered a marathon-plus distance in one week – at a flexible daily pace, not in a single marathon day. The concept attracts ambitious hobby runners as well as weekend athletes. In 2026, the 16th edition runs from May 9th to 14th.

Daily Schedule and Start

Each stage starts at the parking lot of Piscine Riesenbeck (Hörstel). The stages vary in length – from 5-10 km to longer 20-30 km routes. Together, they add up to 140 km for those who want to complete them all. The routes lead through the Tecklenburger Land, the scenically charming hilly region in the northern Münsterland – with forests, streams, small villages, and the Teutoburg Forest within sight.

More than Sport — Volksfest Format

What makes the Sixdays special: They are not just a sports event, but have developed into the Riesenbeck Volksfest. At the daily finish lines:

• Live Music – Bands and acoustic acts welcome the arriving runners
• Echsenstelzen Performances – a distinctive trademark, stilt walkers in lizard costumes dance at the finish lines
• Showmen's Offerings – Food trucks, drink stands, small carousels for children
• Catering – the whole village becomes a supply zone for runners and their families

Volksbank im Münsterland as Main Presenter

The main sponsor and naming presenter is Volksbank im Münsterland. This banking partnership enables the unusually extensive supporting program and the subsidization of entry fees. The organizer is the independent association Riesenbecker Sixdays e.V., which has been supporting and continuously developing the format since 2010.

Riesenbeck — District of Hörstel in Tecklenburger Land

Riesenbeck is a district of the town of Hörstel in the Steinfurt district. With just under 4,000 inhabitants, it is rural in character, located on the southern foothills of the Teutoburg Forest. Riesenbeck is particularly known for the Riesenbeck International Equestrian Centre – one of the most important equestrian venues in Germany, hosting international show jumping competitions and even World Cup events. The Sixdays format fits this sporting tradition: rural, ambitious, well-organized.