37. Kickelhahn Berglauf
Date: 02.06.27
Location: Ilmenau, Thüringen, Germany
Distance: 6 kilometers
About the race
The Kickelhahn Berglauf is a challenging uphill race in Ilmenau. The first event was held in 1989 as a combined cycling and running race, a precursor to the modern duathlon. The current format, since 1993, is a single 5.6 km uphill run from the Stadtpark to the Kickelhahnturm. The event has been organized by the university sports center and sports club of the Technical University of Ilmenau and has been part of various cup series throughout its history.
Registration
Online registration is open until May 30, 2027, 8 PM.
History
The first event was a combined race on May 28, 1989 (cycling) and June 1, 1989 (running). The cycling leg was 9.3 km from Ritzebühler Teich to Dreiherrenstein, and the running leg was 5.6 km from Stadtpark to the Kickelhahnturm. The overall winner was determined by the Gundersen method. The event was the first of its kind in the GDR and a precursor to similar formats in other sports.
From 1990, the uphill run was held as the "Open Thuringian University Championship." Since 1993, only the individual run has been held as the "Kickelhahn-Berglauf" with a mass start. The race has seen a significant increase in participation, enriched by elite athletes and youth talent. It was part of the Thuringian Uphill Cup and later the Köstritzer Berglauf-Cup.