Name: Wiesent-Challenge Waischenfeld 2026
Start: 2026-10-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-25T00:00:00+00:00
Location: SV Bavaria Waischenfeld – Sportzentrum & Wiesenttal

Wiesent-Challenge

About Wiesent-Challenge

The Wiesent-Challenge is the running highlight in Waischenfeld and the Franconian Switzerland. In 2026, it will celebrate its 5th edition and coincide with the 80th anniversary of the organizer SV Bavaria Waischenfeld – a double anniversary. The program includes a 10 km road race, a 12 km panorama trail with the Upper Franconian Trail Championships, a 2x5 km relay, a 400 m opening run, and a 1 km kids' run – all embedded in a sports event with mood stations, a sports expo, and a big awards ceremony party.

Dates 25 Oct — 25 Oct 2026

Venue Waischenfeld (09472)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Wiesent-Challenge — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 5th Wiesent-Challenge will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Waischenfeld. It is both an anniversary run celebrating the 80th anniversary of SV Bavaria Waischenfeld and the venue for the Upper Franconian Trail Championships on the new 12 km panorama trail route. Registrations open on May 1, 2026.

The organizers confirm the date of October 25, 2026, on wiesent-challenge.de. This marks the 5th edition – an anniversary year coinciding with the 80th anniversary of SV Bavaria Waischenfeld.

New to the 2026 program is the 12 km Panorama Trail route, which will host the Upper Franconian Trail Championships this year. It winds through the rocky and valley paths of the Wiesenttal and is aimed at ambitious trail runners. In addition, the 10 km road race, the 2x5 km relay, the 1 km Kids' Run, and the 400 m opening run for people with and without disabilities remain part of the program.

After the race, an After-Run Party will be held from 2 PM at the sports grounds, followed by the awards ceremony around 3 PM. A sports expo, music, and catering will round off the program. Maisel's Weisse is the main sponsor again.

Highlights Wiesent-Challenge 2026

Double anniversary: 5 years Wiesent-Challenge / 80 years SV Bavaria Waischenfeld, new 12 km trail route as Upper Franconian Trail Championships, three mood stations along the course, After-Run Party.

Programme Wiesent-Challenge 2026

Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Race Day

Morning — Arrival, bib collection at the SV Bavaria sports grounds, Dooser Straße 38
Morning — 400 m Opening Run (inclusive, with and without disabilities)
Morning — 1 km Kids' Run
Midday — Start of 10 km Road Race and 2x5 km Relay
Midday — Start of 12 km Panorama Trail, counting towards the Upper Franconian Trail Championships
from 2:00 PM — After-Run Party and Sports Expo
from approx. 3:00 PM — Awards ceremony for all disciplines

Exact start times and assembly plans will be published from the start of registration on May 1, 2026, at wiesent-challenge.de.

Prices Wiesent-Challenge 2026

Entry fees vary by distance; registration opens May 1, 2026, at wiesent-challenge.de. Kids' Run and 400m run at reduced rates. Spectating is free.

Practical information

Practical information — Wiesent-Challenge

Getting There

By car: A9 Munich–Nuremberg–Berlin, exit Pegnitz, then B470 towards Waischenfeld. Parking is signposted at the sports grounds and in the town.

By train: Nearest stations are Ebermannstadt or Pegnitz, with a bus shuttle service from there.

Registration

Online registration at wiesent-challenge.de; the registration phase for 2026 starts on May 1, 2026.

Admission

Entry fee varies by distance; Kids' Run and Opening Run are reduced. Spectating is free.

A Young Classic in the Franconian Switzerland

The Wiesent-Challenge was launched in 2021 and has rapidly become one of the most popular running events in the Franconian Jura within just a few years. It is organized by SV Bavaria Waischenfeld e.V., a traditional sports club in the Bayreuth district, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026. This dual anniversary – 5 years of Wiesent-Challenge, 80 years of SV Bavaria – will make 2026 a particularly enhanced event.

Five Disciplines Plus Opening Run

What sets the Wiesent-Challenge apart is its well-structured range of distances, enabling true inclusivity:

12 km Panorama Trail – new format in 2026, counting towards the Upper Franconian Trail Championships, with numerous viewpoints in the Wiesenttal rocks.
10 km Main Race on paved paths, offering scenic views through the Franconian Switzerland.
2 × 5 km Relay – ideal for families, club teams, and mixed crews.
1 km Kids' Run – for children of all fitness levels.
400 m Opening Run – an inclusive run, bringing together people with and without disabilities.

Course and Atmosphere

Start and finish are at the SV Bavaria sports grounds in Waischenfeld. The trail variant takes runners through the rugged rock landscapes and juniper heaths of the Wiesenttal – one of the most scenically impressive sections of the Franconian Switzerland. The road variant follows the Wiesent river and passes through the valley meadows. More than 1,000 spectators from twelve active clubs line the course and cheer runners on at three Mood Stations, featuring music, drumming, and applause.

More Than a Race: The Wiesent Festival

After the race, the sports grounds transform into a festival site. The After-Run Party kicks off at 2 PM, followed by the Awards Ceremony around 3 PM. A small sports expo with exhibitors from the running and outdoor sector, music, and a comprehensive catering service offering Franconian specialties complete the program. The main sponsor is the Maisel's Weisse brewery, further underscoring the Franconian character.

From Local Run to Regional Brand

According to the organizers, the Wiesent-Challenge has evolved into a "regional cult run" within four years. The trail route is now part of the Upper Franconian Trail Championships – a clear sign that the format has become established in the Upper Franconian running scene.