Schwarzwald Marathon Training Plan & Preparation

Course & Elevation

The loop starts in Bräunlingen at around 700 metres and gains height continuously over the first half. Between kilometre four and twelve several short climbs of three to seven percent break up the rhythm one after another. About 80 percent of the route runs on well-consolidated forest tracks, the rest on asphalt; the surface is very runnable but softer underfoot than a pure road course.

Just past the half-marathon mark comes the centrepiece: a ramp of roughly 850 metres averaging almost nine percent, with pitches up to 19 percent, that leads to the high point at just over 1,000 metres. From there the course descends almost without interruption for nearly 18 kilometres back to the finish. In total around 640 metres of climbing are matched by an almost equal amount of descent, so the loop is close to even overall.

The Schwarzwald Marathon sees itself as a nature run through the Black Forest highlands, and its landscape character shows in every section. Every kilometre is marked, which makes pacing the effort straightforward.

Pacing Strategy

The first half decides how much you have left for the finale. The climb stretches over more than 20 kilometres and tempts you to push the moderate gradients too hard. Keep a deliberate reserve here and run the short ramps between kilometre four and twelve under control rather than attacking them.

The race is settled on the steep ramp just after kilometre 24 and on the long descent that follows. Take the pitch of up to 19 percent with short, strong strides and without panic, because recovery waits at the top. The nearly 18 downhill kilometres afterwards are fast but expensive: overload your quads early and you pay for it in the closing kilometres. Run the first part of the descent flowing rather than braking, and only let your legs truly run late.

12-Week Preparation

For committed age-group runners the effort lasts roughly 3:15 to 5:00 hours depending on level. For long stretches the character is a calm aerobic run, interrupted by the short climbs of the first half and defined by the steep ramp just after kilometre 24 and the long, muscularly demanding descent to the finish.

Two things decide the race: being able to handle a short, very steep climb on tired legs at the high point, and running the following 18 downhill kilometres in control and economically. Both belong in your training.

Focus on long runs that deliberately place the climbing in the second half so you practise running uphill under fatigue. Add specific downhill running to prepare your quads for the eccentric load of the long descent; without it, legs often give out in the final kilometres. Do as many sessions as possible on well-consolidated forest and gravel tracks, since the softer surface changes your push-off and cadence compared with asphalt. Finally, work on the pace strength to hold an even rhythm over the long climb so you do not spend too much before the key ramp.