Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen.
The Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen runs a good five kilometres longer than its name promises, and its loop through the Pfälzerwald forest has hardly a flat stretch in it. Rock formations and deep-cut valleys set the rhythm, so prepare for steep climbs and at least as much for the descents behind them.
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at the Falkenburghalle in Wilgartswiesen, and the loop wastes no time: within metres the first climb sets off for a kilometre and a half, moderate on average, before dropping back to the valley. It turns serious at km 6.9, where roughly 200 metres of ascent are packed into less than a kilometre and a half. By km 12 the course has fallen almost to start level again, and the next long climb wins most of that height back.
Through the middle the pattern holds while the climbs get shorter. From km 18 the route heads for the day's high point at around 460 metres, and km 25 brings the steepest ground of the race, under 700 metres long but with ramps hardly anyone still runs. The last big climb starts at km 34.6. After it the terrain stays rolling for a long way before the loop steps down towards the hall from km 41.
The Pfälzerwald dictates the shape of this race. The route strings together sections of premium hiking trails, among them the Spirkelbacher Höllenberg-Tour, the Dimbacher Buntsandstein Höhenweg, the Rimbach-Steig and the Hauensteiner Schusterpfad. Because every valley has to be climbed out of again, less than a tenth of the distance is flat. Alongside the long loop there are shorter routes of 7 to 35 kilometres.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.1 | 1.5 km | 5.4 % | 17.5 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 5.1 | 0.5 km | 15.4 % | 21.7 % | +69 m | — |
| km 6.9 | 1.5 km | 14.1 % | 22.2 % | +207 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 12.2 | 1.8 km | 10.6 % | 23.8 % | +185 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 18.1 | 0.8 km | 12.6 % | 24 % | +95 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 22.5 | 0.6 km | 11.1 % | 17.8 % | +67 m | — |
| km 25 | 0.7 km | 14.2 % | 35.9 % | +96 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 34.6 | 1.1 km | 11.8 % | 20.4 % | +132 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 Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen.
Start under control
Kilometre splits will not help you much here: nearly four tenths of the course is steep, split evenly between up and down. Run the day by effort, hike the ramps briskly and run where the ground genuinely allows it.
Hold your rhythm
The trap comes early. The two biggest climbs fall before km 14, on fresh legs, which is exactly why they get taken too fast. Breathe hard there and you pay from km 25, when the steepest ground meets tired legs. The descents work the same way: almost a fifth of the distance drops steeply, and letting go on those in the first half takes your quads away from the second.
Spend what is left
The race is decided between km 34 and 42. After the last long climb come several kilometres without major ascent, and only those with something left can actually run them. Do not count down to the marathon mark either: beyond it lie a good five kilometres, mostly downhill, and on spent quads they cost more than the gradient suggests.
Training plan for Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect to be out for roughly 5:30 to 8 hours. This is no steady endurance run but a constant switch between hard climbing and descents that let your heart rate fall while still taking the muscles apart. The base stays aerobic, with short hard spikes on the steepest ramps.
Train race pace
Two phases need specific preparation. Between km 7 and 14 you must be able to hike two long climbs briskly without crossing your threshold. From km 34 you must climb once more after many hours and then find your way back into running, which is the genuinely hard part.
Rehearse the course
Your key sessions are therefore long runs on hilly ground with the hardest climb placed late, where time on your feet counts for more than kilometres. Treat hiking ramps above 15 percent as a skill of its own and practise it in intervals on a steep slope. Downhill running matters at least as much: include steep descents regularly so your quads know the load, and add strength work for thighs and calves.
Arrive fresh
The early October date puts your longest sessions in late summer. Do them on hiking trails through hilly forest, since those are the kind of paths the course follows in sections. There are feeding stations along the loop, and over this duration eating is part of the race: use your long runs to practise eating and drinking regularly, including just before and after a steep section.
Courses
Download the Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen.
How long is Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen?
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen is 47.4 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 Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen have?
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen has around 1,798 m of elevation gain over 47.4 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen?
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen is classified as Mountainous, averaging 38 vertical metres per kilometre. 9% of the route is flat, 25% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 19% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen have?
The hardest climb of Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen starts at kilometre 6.9, runs for 1.5 km at an average of 14.1% and gains 207 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen a loop course?
Yes, Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen course?
Yes. The Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen 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 Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen?
Preparation for Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen should account for 47.4 km, 1,798 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 Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen?
The pacing strategy for Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen should reflect 47.4 km, 1,798 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 Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen take place?
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen takes place on October 2, 2027.
Where does Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen take place?
Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen takes place in Wilgartswiesen, Germany.
How do I register for Wald-Marathon Wilgartswiesen?
Registration runs through the organiser: wald-marathon.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
