Zugspitze Ultra Trail: Heroes fight under the burning sun!

Zugspitze Ultra Trail: Heroes fight under the burning sun!

On June 19, 2025, the 13th edition of the Zugspitz Ultratrail took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a competition that pushes even hardened athletes to their limits. Over a distance of 100 miles, i.e. 164 kilometers, the aim was to conquer 8,302 meters in altitude. With bright sunshine and temperatures around 30 degrees, the challenge was even harder as the runners had to face the sweaty weather.

The event attracted 245 participants, including 213 men and 32 women. With an exciting and demanding route profile that required technical skill and endurance, many athletes were not spared from early setbacks. The competition had a high abandonment rate, with 100 runners – around 41% – giving up during the race. This circumstance highlighted the performance of those who made it to the finish, including some familiar faces such as prominent runner Tobias Fritz, who also failed to finish.

The top athletes and their strategies

The winner, Thomas Ungethüm, who competes for LG Vogtland, crossed the finish line after 24 hours and 45 seconds. His outstanding preparation included an “Everesting” in May, where he tested the highest mountaineering challenge – and his fluid management was impressive: over 30 liters of water during the race!

The talented René Claußnitzer, who was supported by the Nomads running group, came in third. It took him 25 hours, 25 minutes and 55 seconds to complete the demanding route. His strategy included short power naps and a long-sleeved shirt to better tolerate the heat. Like many others, Claußnitzer had concerns about the temperatures during the race, but when he was welcomed at the finish, the joy of his success was obvious.

Michael Weingärtner, who finished fifth, made his participation in the first 100-mile race a personal test, with his goal being to avoid running on the second night. It also shows how important it is to face the high demands of such a challenge.

Emotional insights and psychological aspects

The Zugspitz Ultra Trail is not only a physical challenge, but also a psychological adventure. Sports psychologists emphasize that endurance sports promote fitness and train the psyche. Many runners aspire to run ultras, and it's often more about endurance than speed. Preparations play a crucial role, because realistic goals and expectations are the key to overcoming your inner weakness.

As one author describes his experience running ultra in Andorra, overcoming such a challenge can be emotional. The flow state helps athletes to balance their own demands with the demands of the environment, which can certainly be a big advantage on the Zugspitz Ultratrail. The fact that many participants successfully reached the finish line despite extreme conditions and a high abandonment rate speaks for the determination and strong psyche of the athletes.

In summary, the Zugspitz Ultra Trail shows that fighting against your own limits is a lot of work, not only physically but also mentally. The combination of nature experience and personal challenge is what makes ultra running so appealing and attracts athletes from all over the world.