Ultratrail in Garmisch: 5,000 participants bring millions to the region!

Ultratrail in Garmisch: 5,000 participants bring millions to the region!

On Friday evening, June 17, 2025, the eagerly awaited 100-mile run of the Zugspitz Ultra Trail starts in picturesque Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Around 5,000 athletes from 66 nations will take to the route, which will not only test their physical limits, but also put the region at the center of sporting attention. An event that began as a small pilot more than a decade ago has since grown into a major attraction that not only excites attendees but can also boost the local economy. 700 participants took part in the first year in 2011, and since then the event has only grown, as Merkur reports.

The growth of the event means that around two thirds of the participants travel with accompanying persons and spend around 2.3 nights in the region. This leads to an estimated added value of around 1.5 million euros for 2025. The perfect opportunity for the hosts to showcase the assets and beauties of the area!

Opening up new potential

The Ultratrail not only has a direct impact on the local economy, but also sustainably promotes tourism in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The sporting event attracts not only participants but also spectators, which creates additional sources of income for local companies, as Sports Insider describes. The visibility of the region is increased by the international number of participants and media coverage, which further strengthens Garmisch-Partenkirchen as a tourist destination.

The event has now developed into a strategic pillar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen's tourism focus, which also includes other trail running events such as the GaPa Trail and the Transalpine Run. The organizers are constantly examining how they can keep the number of participants stable at around 5,000 in order to preserve the character of the event, and are relying on numerous partners and helpers, consisting of around 350 people.

Logistical challenges and innovative solutions

In order to meet the high requirements, the organizer, PLAN B event company GmbH, has already implemented measures to improve the user experience. These include, among other things, shuttle buses for participants who live outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen, as well as a central base camp, which has been available since 2021. Challenges also include the decline of traditional mountain running, which requires the organization of additional events.

There will be 53 exhibitors at the Expo this year, making the event one of the largest to date. It's a great place to showcase new products and services that can further enrich the outdoor experience. The Ultratrail is not only used as a sporting challenge, but also as a platform for exchange and networking in the sports and outdoor industry.

The registration options and the natural use of personal data during the event are treated transparently. According to the data protection declaration on the Zugspitz-Ultratrail website, data is collected through user information or automatically to ensure error-free use of the website and to analyze user behavior. Compliance with data protection regulations is also ensured by SSL/TLS encryption.

Overall, it shows that the Zugspitz Ultratrail is not just a sporting event, but has also established itself as a catalyst for the economic and tourist development of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This highlights once again how important major sporting events are to local communities and the significant economic opportunities they can provide.