A new Everesting Challenge awaits climbing talents: On 7 June 2026, Oberhof in Thuringia will be the venue for the "Everesting Challenge". the aim is to collect as many vertical metres by bike as Mount Everest is high - exactly 8848 vertical metres. To do this, the participants have to cycle up and down a selected ascent as many times as it takes to reach the altitude metres of the world's highest mountain. The event offers various categories: In addition to the classic "Full-Everesting" over the complete 8848 metres in altitude, there is also a "Half-Everesting" with 4424 metres in altitude and a "Quarter-Everesting" with 2212 metres in altitude. All categories can be completed both as individual starters and in teams of up to four people.
Everesting: route and requirements
The section of the route selected for the challenge runs from Kanzlersgrund past the ski jumps to the Grenzadler car park in Oberhof. The climb is 3.82 kilometres long, covers 187 metres in altitude per ascent and has an average gradient of 5 percent. For the complete Full-Everesting, participants must complete this climb 48 times. There is a time limit of 18 hours for individual starters. The road section between Steinbach-Hallenberg and Oberhof will be completely closed for the event, guaranteeing optimal and safe conditions for the athletes.
Everesting with team ranking
The event is not only aimed at well-trained climbing specialists, but also at less fit amateur athletes thanks to the team classification. Teams can consist of two, three or four people and divide up the altitude metres to be climbed individually. This applies to all three categories: Full-, Half- and Quarter-Everesting. A festival with music, information stands, other sports programmes and local food and drink will be organised around the finish area and the transition zone at the Grenzadler in Oberhof. This should ensure a pleasant atmosphere during the long Everesting day - both for participants and accompanying persons.
Registration and background
Registration for the 2026 Challenge is already open. Interested parties can register at www.everesting-challenge.de. The early bird deadline is 6 January 2026. The event is organised by triathlete Michael Fuchs from Schwerte, whose passion for long distances inspired the idea for the event. FREUNDE Eventagentur is responsible for the organisation. Fuchs already runs a hall of fame for successful Everesting graduates under the domain www.everesting.de.
The Everesting movement
The Everesting concept has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. Until now, athletes have mostly completed the challenge individually and documented their successes on the STRAVA fitness platform. The STRAVA Everesting Club now has over 2,000 members. The Challenge in Oberhof offers an organised setting for this challenge. According to the organisers, the combination of topography, natural surroundings and infrastructure makes Oberhof the perfect location for such an event. TOUR has specially organised a Training plan for an Everesting created.
Conclusion:
- Event date: 7 June 2026
- Location: Oberhof, Thuringia
- Route length per ascent: 3.82 kilometres
- Vertical metres per ascent: 187 metres
- Average gradient: 5 per cent
- Number of driveways required for full variant: 48
- Altitude metres to be covered Full variant: 8848 altitude metres
- Altitude metres to be covered Half variant: 4424 altitude metres
- Vertical metres to be covered Quarter variant: 2212 vertical metres
- Time limit for individual starters: 18 hours
- Team sizes: 2-4 people
- Website: www.everesting-challenge.de
Kristian Bauer
Editor
