Grüngürtel Ultra
The Grüngürtel Ultra will take place in Köln on Sunday 10 January 2027. You can run 63 kilometers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
The G1 Grüngürtelultra is a winter ultra that takes place every year in January on the Cologne Grüngürtel circular route.
We are running for the 7th time on the signposted G1 Grüngürtel circular route around the most beautiful city in the world.
The G1 Grüngürtel Ultra originated from a small whim and initially served as personal preparation for the TorTour de Ruhr 2018. My partner wanted to complete another long training run in preparation for the TdR 230 and came up with the idea of doing it on the signposted G1 hiking trail around Cologne. The idea was good, so good that I considered organizing a small group run... but as it is, group runs over this distance are difficult to coordinate, so it was to be a leisurely invitation ultra instead. A maximum of 20-25 participants perhaps - if that - and if so many want to run... A small post on FB and within 24 hours, 40 participants were already on the list... the small invitation run turned into an event with 100 participants in 2018 within a few weeks.
For the second edition in 2019, 150 participants already wanted to run the G1 Ultra - the third edition in 2020 already had almost 300 participants planned. 150 each for clockwise and counter-clockwise. Even though a fierce storm low almost threw a spanner in the works - we started with 219 athletes. Fortunately, everyone reached the finish line safely.
Since 2022, registrations have settled at around 400 participants. The 400 starters are also a magical limit and a size at which I want to keep the event. It should retain its family character. A run by runners for runners... and female runners, of course.
This year, a total of 400 participants can take part in the G1 Grüngürtelultra. There are still enough starting places available...
G1 Grüngürtel right loop (odd starting numbers)
The G1 is clearly marked with hiking signs in the clockwise direction. There will be NO further signage. The start is clearly marked. It goes from the start towards Wiener Platz and then right at the route division, along the Rhine to Stammheim. Then it continues through the green belt on the right bank of the Rhine through the districts of Höhenhaus, Ostheim and Gremberg to the Rodenkirchener Bridge. On the other side of the Rhine, it continues through the green belt to the first and only aid station at Kalscheurer Weiher.