Mountain Marathon

A navigation competition combines running or walking with map reading and orientation in nature. You don't follow a fixed course, but choose your own route using a map (and sometimes a compass) to locate checkpoints. This makes each competition unique and adventurous.

Friendly, respectful, and connecting. You'll share the experience with like-minded people who love nature, challenge, and being outdoors together. Whether you come to win, learn, or just enjoy yourself: everyone is included.

Absolutely. Runners and walkers are welcome. Many formats are perfectly suited for walking, alone or in groups. It's all about navigation, making choices, and enjoying the surroundings – not just about speed.

For all levels. You decide how technical, athletic, or relaxed you want to be. Some participants focus on performance and strategy, others on experience, nature, and fun. There's no "right" way to participate.

No. Competition is optional. Many participants join for the adventure, the scenery, and the camaraderie. There's no pressure, no mass start, and no set pace. You choose how intensely you experience it.

We allow teams of one or two people to register. If you'd like to form a team of three, you can, provided you're excluded from the final rankings. This way, we keep the rankings fair for everyone (a team of three has more navigation advantages), but we also don't want to detract from the fun of participating. Please let us know if you'd like to do so.

As long as the dog doesn't have a nose for finding checkpoints, your four-legged friend is more than welcome to come along for the run.

Yes. You can participate solo or with friends, colleagues, or family. Navigating together makes it extra fun and accessible. Mixed levels also work well: everyone contributes in their own way.

No, our competitions are essentially about navigating without digital tools. GPS devices are not permitted. Smartwatches may be worn if they can function in "Adventure mode." Cell phones may only be used for taking fun photos.

No. Our competitions are accessible for beginners and challenging for experienced participants. You'll always receive a clear map, pre-training instructions, and the freedom to tackle the competition at your own pace. Many participants participate in their first navigation competition at DE24.

Yes and no. All checkpoints you need to find are already marked on the map from the start, so you can continue using map reading alone. However, if you’re unsure between several paths, or if you want to be certain of your direction of travel, a compass can definitely help. In poor visibility, bad weather, or in the dark, a compass often becomes particularly useful. Feeling unsure? Be sure to check out our workshops on map & compass skills or route planning.

That’s all part of it. Navigation is about learning by doing. You’re allowed to make mistakes, take detours, and adjust along the way. It’s not about perfection, but about experience, insight, and enjoyment.

The checkpoints are always located along accessible paths, and each checkpoint is provided with a brief description (e.g. “confluence of a stream” or “small bridge”).

You'll especially need good shoes, appropriate clothing, and an open mind. Maps and race information will be provided. A compass is sometimes helpful, but not always necessary – this is always clearly stated. Sometime before the event, you'll also receive a briefing that explains everything in more detail.

Being self-sufficient in nature for two days means you need to carry considerably more equipment than usual. By choosing the lightest possible gear and eliminating everything except the strict essentials, you can reduce the weight of your backpack to around 5 kg. The average race backpack weight (excluding water) is around 7–8 kg.

To make the Mountain Marathon accessible to everyone, it is also possible to hand over your team’s tent, sleeping bags, and sleeping mats to the event’s bag transport. All other equipment, food, and clothing must be carried by the team itself.

We are currently finalizing the exact start location. As soon as this is confirmed, we will publish the necessary “how to get there” information here, both for travel by car and by public transport.

All registrations are handled via the Njuko registration platform. During registration, you select the desired race and team format (solo/duo), and you can immediately complete your payment securely online. Simple, right! Njuko is a recognized and trusted platform within the running community.