Bottwartal Marathon: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Süwag Urmensch Ultra is the only course of the weekend that leaves the valley. Its 51.5 measured kilometres climb from Steinheim onto the ridge above the Bottwartal, out to Burg Lichtenberg as the turnaround, and back. The organiser quotes 900 metres of climbing; the geometry of the official course file suggests closer to 1 100 to 1 250. Plan for the larger number.
Course & Elevation
The gun goes at 08:00 at the Steppi in Steinheim. The first 1.5 kilometres are shared with the marathon, then you turn towards Forsthof just before Kleinbottwar and pass it at kilometre 3.9. From there the tarmac ends and gravel and forest tracks take you upwards.
The body of the course sits between 300 and 389 metres. The Feuersee comes at kilometre 23.5, the Harzberg is the high point at 389 metres at kilometre 25.7, and Sinzenburg follows at kilometre 27.3. The turnaround is Burg Lichtenberg at kilometre 30, which is also the farthest point from the start at just under seven kilometres as the crow flies. The climb to it is the steepest stretch on the course: 97 metres of gain inside 500 metres.
The return retraces those landmarks in reverse, Sinzenburg at kilometre 32, the Harzberg at kilometre 37, the Feuersee at kilometre 42. At kilometre 49.9 you rejoin the marathon course near Kleinbottwar for the shared run-in to Steinheim. Only 13 percent of the course is flatter than one percent; 41 percent climbs and 46 percent descends. The route is signed and supported by cyclists.
Pacing Strategy
Race this ultra on effort, not on pace. With 41 percent of it climbing and 46 percent descending, your kilometre split never settles, and trying to keep it flat costs you the last fifteen kilometres.
The first four kilometres are flat and invite a speed the gravel will not give back. Take the climbs to kilometre 25 deliberately conservatively; on the steep sections, walking briskly is the correct call rather than a concession. The climb to Burg Lichtenberg at kilometre 30 is the hardest single piece of the day, arriving just past halfway when your legs already carry the climbing.
The return over the Harzberg and the Feuersee is familiar ground, but tired legs make descents expensive. On the long downhills between kilometre 37 and 45, keep your cadence high and your stride short. The final two kilometres from Kleinbottwar are flat and surfaced. The cut-off is 15:30, seven and a half hours after the start.
Training plan for Bottwartal Marathon: 12-week build
The build has to cover two things the marathon does not ask for: time on feet beyond four hours, and climbing on unmade ground. Extend the long runs to 4 or 5 hours, with at least half of that on forest tracks and gravel.
Schedule one weekly session worth 400 to 700 metres of climbing in which you deliberately alternate running and fast walking. Runners who first try walking on race day lose time doing it. Add eccentric strength for the descents, two sessions a week of squats, single-leg lowering and calf work, or the 46 percent of downhill after kilometre 37 becomes the limiter.
More important than any single session is the fuelling rehearsal. In a race lasting six to seven and a half hours, carbohydrate and fluid intake decides the outcome. Test exactly what you will wear and eat on 18 October during your long runs. The coach in YOUB places the long sessions so that two four-hour rehearsals sit before the final build week.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 1.6 | 1.6 km | 4.6% | 9.6% | +74m | — |
| KM 6.0 | 0.8 km | 4.6% | 12.6% | +36m | — |
| KM 15.8 | 0.6 km | 7.8% | 10.3% | +47m | — |
| KM 23.6 | 0.8 km | 7.2% | 13.0% | +58m | — |
| KM 29.8 | 0.8 km | 13.6% | 29.3% | +102m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 34.6 | 1.3 km | 8.0% | 18.7% | +106m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 38.7 | 2.3 km | 5.0% | 9.1% | +112m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 42.5 | 0.8 km | 6.5% | 10.8% | +51m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Course as GPX
Download the Süwag Urmensch Ultra course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Bottwartal Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Bottwartal Marathon?
Bottwartal Marathon is 51 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Bottwartal Marathon have?
Bottwartal Marathon has around 1,076 m of elevation gain over 51 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Bottwartal Marathon?
Bottwartal Marathon is classified as Hilly, averaging 20.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 17% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 7% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Bottwartal Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Bottwartal Marathon starts at kilometre 38.7, runs for 2.3 km at an average of 5% and gains 112 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Bottwartal Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Bottwartal Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
How should I prepare for Bottwartal Marathon?
Preparation for Bottwartal Marathon should account for 51 km, 1,076 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Bottwartal Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Bottwartal Marathon should reflect 51 km, 1,076 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Bottwartal Marathon take place?
Bottwartal Marathon takes place on October 18, 2026.
Where does Bottwartal Marathon take place?
Bottwartal Marathon takes place in Steinheim an der Murr, Germany.
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