The heatwave sweeping through Bavaria this week has thrown a wrench into the favorites' plans to shatter historic course records in Sonthofen. With temperatures expected to hover around 30 degrees in the Oberallgäu valleys, glycogen management and hydration will be the thin line between glory at the Allgäu Panorama Ultra and bonking before crowning the Grasgehren.
Tackling 3,125 meters of elevation gain
The 69.3-kilometer flagship race is more than an endurance test; it is a tactical trap. Elite runners know the real Allgäu Panorama Marathon - Ultra begins after conquering the technical wall of the Sonnenkopf climb. This year, the spotlight is on whether anyone can lower the benchmarks under a relentless sun that will turn exposed single-track sections into natural ovens. The total elevation gain isn't the only enemy; the humidity in the Iller valley following summer storms promises a stifling atmosphere right from the starting gun.
Hörnerlauf: The vertical sprint everyone is watching
While the ultra-runners suffer over the long haul, the Allgäu Panorama Marathon - Hörnerlauf is shaping up to be Sunday's most electric race. With 1,111 meters of elevation gain packed into just 18.3 kilometers, this distance has become the go-to for short-course trail specialists. The lack of flat sections forces a constant transition between power-hiking and an agonizing trot—a discipline where local athletes usually lay down the law against road runners trying to make the jump to the mountains.
In the classic Marathon distance, with its 1,400-meter ascent, all eyes are on the Weiherkopf pass. It is the critical point where many runners pay the price for an over-ambitious early pace. Organizers have bolstered the aid stations, aware that the asphalt of the opening kilometers in Sonthofen can take its toll before hitting the more technical trails. On Saturday, the 5k will serve as a fast-paced prologue—essentially a lactate test for those looking for some snap in their legs before Sunday’s main events—while the Halbmarathon remains the choice for those seeking pure speed with a negligible 142 meters of climbing.