Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt.
The Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt is barely a run in the usual sense: 31 kilometres, but almost 2,900 metres of climbing and over 95 vertical metres per kilometre. Straight off the start comes a near three-kilometre ramp averaging almost 25 percent. Anyone taking on the Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt is preparing for steep mountain hiking and technical ground, not steady running.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Gebirgsmarathon in Immenstadt is one of Germany's oldest and most brutal mountain runs, and the 31 km distance is its centrepiece. From the valley station of the Mittagbahn there is no easing in: the opening ramp climbs almost three kilometres at around 24 percent on average and hauls you up more than 700 metres to the first summit.
From there the route follows the ridge of the Nagelfluhkette, out towards the Hochgrat and back. Instead of one long climb you get a saw-tooth profile: short, savagely steep pitches of 20 to over 30 percent alternate with equally steep descents. More than 70 percent of the course is genuinely steep, with almost no flat metres to recover on. All told, the 31 kilometres stack up roughly 2,900 metres of vertical gain.
The trails are technical and in places exposed; the course is marked with red chalk spray, so loading the track onto your watch beforehand is wise. Because the route crosses a nature reserve, the aid stations hand out no cups and you have to carry at least 1.5 litres of fluid yourself. The finish sits at the Alpe Oberberg, after a net gain of a good 560 metres.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.5 | 3 km | 24.6 % | 76.4 % | +732 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 6.7 | 3.1 km | 12.3 % | 26.4 % | +386 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 10.5 | 1.3 km | 13.8 % | 38.5 % | +183 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 13.3 | 0.8 km | 31.5 % | 52.1 % | +260 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 15.6 | 1 km | 19.7 % | 50 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 19 | 0.9 km | 20.3 % | 31.9 % | +178 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 21.3 | 0.6 km | 32.3 % | 49.8 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 24 | 0.6 km | 25.4 % | 38.8 % | +152 m | Cat. 4 |
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.
How to pace Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt.
Start under control
Forget running splits; this is about vertical economy. Only 2.6 percent of the course is flat; over 40 percent climbs steeply and a third drops steeply. The start climb (kilometre 0.5 to 3.5, averaging 24.6 percent and touching over 70) sets how much of the race you have left: hike it at walking pace, heart rate under threshold, even while others run.
Hold your rhythm
What follows is a sawtooth along the summit ridge: short, brutal ramps of 30 percent and more alternating with equally steep descents. The race isn't decided on any single climb but on the sum of these repeats; overcook the first ascent and you crack in the middle third.
Spend what is left
The steep descents (over 30 percent) drain quad strength; brake under control and save your legs for the final third, which climbs net higher to the high point.
Training plan for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt: 12-week build
Build the base
How do you train for this course? With nearly 2,900 metres of climbing over 31 kilometres and about 95 vertical metres per kilometre, expect to be out there for roughly five to eight hours – less if you are competitive, considerably more towards the back of the field.
Train race pace
This is not a steady tempo run. More than 40 percent of the route is steep enough that hiking is faster and more economical than running, and it is paired with equally steep descents that load the quads heavily. Think of it as a long aerobic effort broken up by many short, forceful uphill surges.
Rehearse the course
Three sections decide your day. The opening 700-metre wall tempts you into going out too hard; overcook it and the ridge will collect the debt. The saw-tooth profile of the Nagelfluhkette asks you to climb steeply again and again on already tired legs. And the technical, partly exposed descents come down to sure-footedness and protecting your muscles.
Arrive fresh
Set your priorities accordingly: treat uphill hiking (poles included) as its own skill, build plenty of vertical volume through long sessions, and above all run downhill under fatigue to condition your quads for the eccentric load. Train your footing on technical terrain and work on ankle stability. Practise self-supply with at least 1.5 litres on your body, and for the August date factor in heat and altitude acclimatisation.
Courses
Download the Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt 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.
Everything about Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt.
How long is Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt?
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt is 31 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 Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt have?
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt has around 2,933 m of elevation gain over 31 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt?
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt is classified as Mountainous, averaging 95.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 3% of the route is flat, 12% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 41% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt have?
The hardest climb of Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt starts at kilometre 0.5, runs for 3 km at an average of 24.6% and gains 732 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 1. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt a loop course?
No, Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt course?
Yes. The Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt?
Preparation for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt should account for 31 km, 2,933 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 Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt?
The pacing strategy for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt should reflect 31 km, 2,933 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 Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on August 22, 2026.
Where does Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt take place?
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt takes place in Immenstadt im Allgäu, Germany.
Which distances does Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt offer?
Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt offers 2 distances — Gebirgsmarathon: 31 km; Gebirgstrail: 15 km.
How do I register for Gebirgsmarathon Immenstadt?
Registration runs through the organiser: gebirgsmarathon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
