Skatstadtmarathon

The Skatstadtmarathon begins and ends on the Markt, Altenburg’s central square. Altenburg is a small town in eastern Germany. This event offers multiple distances: children can compete in 400 m or 1 km races, school runners have a 3.6 km option, and adults can select from 5.4 km, 13.3 km, a half marathon, the full 42.2 km marathon, or a two-person marathon relay. Walking options are also available for 5.4 km, 13.3 km, and the half marathon. Over 3,000 runners participate, a significant number for a town of approximately 31,000 residents. The marathon consists of two circuits of the half-marathon route, and it is not a course suited for personal bests. Participants will run on asphalt, forest paths, and cobblestones. The elevation difference spans over 100 meters, with approximately 500 meters of climbing per marathon lap. The race has a 6-hour time limit. Marathon runners not reaching the halfway point by 2:45 will be registered for the half marathon. Altenburg lends its name to the race; the town is known as the Skatstadt, the home of Skat, Germany’s most popular card game, and its historic center features in the day’s activities.