Rhön Cycle Marathon 2026: Registration for coveted starting places from 17 January

The Rhön Cycle Marathon is one of the Classics in the German cycling calendar and attracts numerous cyclists every year to the Hessian, Thuringian and Bavarian Rhön. In 2026, the event will once again take place on Whitsun weekend. On 23 and 24 May, cycling enthusiasts will once again be able to tackle the scenic and challenging routes through the low mountain region. The marathon routes are particularly popular, which is why starting places are quickly booked out and early registration is essential. Registration for the three marathon routes on Sunday (183, 214 and 258 kilometres) and for Tour 4 (159 kilometres) on Saturday will open at 7:00 a.m. on 17 January 2026. Registration for all other routes will open one day later on 18 January 2026, with no participant limit.

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Rhön Cycle Marathon Changes

One innovation concerns the so-called Bimbach 400, which consists of the combination of Tour 4 on Saturday (159 kilometres) and the longest marathon route on Sunday (258 kilometres). While the classification and awards for the Bimbach 400 will remain the same, it will no longer be possible to book the two routes together as a bundle. Participants must book the two routes separately. Due to new regulations of the German Cycling Cycling Marathon Cup Germany, a discount will only be granted to holders of a German Cycling amateur sports licence in the German Cycling App. The licence number will be requested during registration, so licence holders should have it ready.

Rhön Cycle Marathon E: Extreme marathon over 258 kilometres

At 258 kilometres, Tour E is the longest and most challenging route of the Rhön Cycle Marathon. It is considered one of the toughest cycle marathons in Germany and is chosen by more than half of all participants. The route was completely redesigned in 2019 and leads clockwise across the "open distances" of the Hessian, Thuringian and Bavarian Rhön as well as into the Vogelsberg. When planning the route, particular emphasis was placed on roads with little traffic and attractive scenery, while danger spots were minimised.

Elbows at the Rhön Cycle Marathon

Tour E features numerous familiar and new climbs. The classics include the Milseburg and the Ellenbogen. There are also new challenges such as the Weidberg and the climb up the Hochrhön from Hausen, which the chief route planner describes as his personal favourite climb. Two of the three most difficult long climbs in the Rhön are included in the route with the ascent from Ginolfs to the Hochrhön and the Totnansberg. The third difficult climb to the Kreuzberg saddle is at least partially integrated into the route, although the most difficult part of the climb to the Kreuzberg monastery is omitted. At kilometre 198, another challenge awaits with the Großer Nickus, which is in no way inferior to the well-known Ebersburg.

Tour C: The classic over 214 kilometres

The 214-kilometre Tour C is the classic of the Rhön Cycle Marathon and is aimed at cyclists who find the extreme version too challenging. This route was also completely redesigned in 2019 and leads clockwise through the "open distances" of the three Rhön federal states. Since 2019, the focus has been on the southern Rhön, with some sections of the route being optimised for 2022 based on experience from the previous year.

Rhön Cycle Marathon Tour C

Tour C combines familiar climbs such as the Milseburg and the Ellenbogen with new challenges such as the Weidberg and the climb up the Hochrhön from Hausen. After the ascent to the Schwedenwall in Bischofsheim, there is a beautiful descent to Gersfeld and the picturesque Gichenbach valley. After the checkpoint in Oberzell, the Große Nickus awaits, which is just as challenging as the famous Ebersburg. The route leads to the last checkpoint via the gentle climb to Buchenrod and then along the rivers Jossa and Lüder almost exclusively downhill to Bimbach.

Tour B over 182 kilometres

Tour B with 182 kilometres is aimed specifically at beginners to the cycling marathon. This route offers the same beautiful views of the Rhön, but demands significantly fewer kilometres and metres in altitude from the riders. This route was also completely redesigned in 2019 and leads clockwise through the "open distances" of the three Rhön federal states. As with the other routes, the focus during planning was on low-traffic and scenic roads while minimising danger spots.

Rhön Cycle Marathon Tour B

Tour B combines familiar climbs such as the Milseburg with new challenges such as the ascent to the Schwarze Moor in Seiferts and the Schwedenwall in Bischofsheim. The ascent to Schwedenwall is followed by a descent to Gersfeld and the picturesque Gichenbach valley. After the checkpoint in Oberzell, the Großer Nickus also awaits here. The route leads to the last checkpoint via the gentle climb to Buchenrod and then along the rivers Jossa and Lüder almost exclusively downhill to Bimbach.

Starting positions and starting windows

A total of 2000 starting places are available for the three Rhön Cycle Marathon routes (Tour B, C and E). When registering, each participant must select a binding start window. However, the starting places for Tour 4 on Saturday are not limited. There is also no participant limit for the other routes, for which registration begins on 18 January 2026, so that relaxed planning is possible here.