The cycling marathon, which was held for the first time in 2024, is entering its third edition. The number of participants of 350 from the previous year has already been reached. Participation from Denmark in particular is growing. The organiser hopes to establish the Harz Cycle Marathon as a long-term event for the city of Halberstadt. The starting place for the Harz Circuit currently costs 90 euros and will increase to 110 euros in June.
Harz Cycle Marathon routes and distances
The programme offers various routes. The shortest family tour leads via Sargstedt to Ströbeck and measures 22 kilometres. The Harz cross-country tour via Thale to Berga covers 155 kilometres. The longest route around the Harz reaches 303 kilometres with 3000 metres in altitude and is one of the few cycle marathons in Germany with a distance of over 300 kilometres. Other routes in the Harz Cycle Marathon lead through the Harz foreland with a turning point in Osterwieck or around the Huy. The long routes involve between 1000 and 3000 metres in altitude.
Two special MTB and gravel routes complete the offer for off-road cyclists. The routes lead across the Harz Mountains up to the Brocken and through the Harz foreland. All routes start from the cathedral square in the centre of Halberstadt in the district of Harz in Saxony-Anhalt. The routes run through the northern Harz foothills up to the Kyffhäuser. E-bikes are permitted on all routes.
Harz Cycle Marathon Supply
There are refreshment points along the route every 35 to 50 kilometres of the Harz Cycle Marathon. Local clubs such as SV Biesenrode, RSV Adler Goslar and TSV Berßel are in charge of the aid stations. The organisers are looking for further volunteers and clubs to support them. The routes cross all districts bordering the Harz Mountains, from Mansfeld-Südharz in the east via Sangerhausen and Nordhausen to Osterode in the district of Goslar.
Sights along the route include Falkenstein Castle, the Mansfeld pyramids, the Kyffhäuser, quarries in Nordhausen, the Rappbodetalsperre dam and the Harzquerbahn railway. The Brocken can be seen from almost all sections of the route. The routes pass through historic villages and towns in the region.
Timetable and supporting programme
The Harz Cycle Marathon starts between 5.30 am and 3.00 pm from the cathedral square. The finish area opens at 4.00 pm for the first arrivals. The closing time is 21:00, the award ceremony starts at 21:15. The finish is scheduled for 22:00 and the event ends at 22:30.
For children, the ADFC is planning a cycle course and traffic garden on the cathedral square. A children's race around the cathedral square completes the programme. The after-ride party will take place on the Domberg with catering, music and awards. Prizes will be awarded for the longest journey, the oldest participants and the largest teams from clubs, companies and schools. There will also be an additional classification for the highest total number of kilometres per team, with a separate local classification for the Harz districts from Mansfeld to Goslar.
Harz Cycle Marathon helper party
Last year, TSV Berßel secured the trophy for the largest team with over 20 participants. The organisers hold several special competitions. Teams from clubs, companies and schools compete in the team classification. The local classification only includes starters from the Harz region. On the Sunday after the event, there will be a helpers' and dismantling party with free lunch. All participants and helpers are invited to support the dismantling.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
