Marathon races near Kirchzarten

The International Schwarzwald-Marathon is a running weekend in Bräunlingen, Germany, centered on a 42.195 km marathon. Established in 1968, it is the world’s oldest nature marathon. The event also features a 21.098 km half marathon, 5 km and 10 km races, a 10 km walk and Nordic walk, youth races, a Bambini run, and a four-person marathon relay. The primary appeal is the forest environment, with approximately 80 percent of the marathon course following maintained forest paths in the Black Forest, bypassing city streets. The event accommodates various participants, including marathoners, half marathoners, walkers, relay teams, children, and families. Organizers note that many runners return to this event after their initial participation.

Foulées de l’Ill is a flat, point-to-point race series held in Haut-Rhin, eastern France, near the German border. All distances conclude in Ensisheim. The primary event is a 21.097 km half marathon starting in Niederhergheim; it can also be run as a two-person relay with the handover in Munwiller. On the same day, a 10 km race begins in Munwiller and a 5 km race starts in Réguisheim. This setup accommodates half-marathon participants, shorter-distance runners, relay teams, walkers, and those seeking a local charity event. The races take place in October, and the event language is French. The course traces the Ill river along rolling, fast roads, connecting nine communes in the Centre Haut Rhin region: Niederhergheim, Oberhergheim, Biltzheim, Niederentzen, Oberentzen, Munwiller, Meyenheim, Réguisheim, and Ensisheim. The 5 km race, which can be run or walked, benefits L’Arc en ciel de Bernard, an association supporting cancer patients. All participants receive a medal. A shuttle service is available from the finish back to the start for those using the point-to-point course. Time limits are set at 2 hours 45 minutes for the half marathon, 1 hour 30 minutes for the 10 km, and 1 hour for the 5 km.

The Trail du Petit Ballon is a trail-running event held in Rouffach, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, scheduled for early March. The event is designed for nature runners, offering multiple distances suitable for various skill levels. Four races are featured: the Trail du Petit Ballon, the Marathon du Petit Ballon, the Circuit des Grands Crus, and the Mini trail de l'Ane. The courses traverse the countryside surrounding Rouffach. The Mini trail adds a family-friendly option to the longer trail and marathon races.

The Trail du Petit Ballon et Circuit des Grands Crus begins and ends at the stadium in Rouffach, a small Haut-Rhin commune in Alsace close to the German border. Held annually in March since 2004, this trail race takes place in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park. It offers four distances: l'Ane at 8 km, Zinnkoepftrail at 16 km, Les Grands Crus at 28 km, and Le Petit Ballon at 54 km. The courses depart Rouffach into vineyard territory, featuring extended sections through the wine fields that lend the Grands Crus race its name. March weather in the Vosges can remain wintry, potentially bringing wind and lingering snow at higher elevations; the single September running provided milder temperatures and vines nearing harvest.