Grafschaftslauf 2026

The Grafschaftslauf, held annually in late August in North Rhine-Westphalia, connects Rietberg, Verl, and Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock via historic routes of the former Grafschaft Rietberg. The primary 28 km race, for individuals and three-person relay teams, begins at Gut Rietberg on Schlossstraße and concludes at Jagdschloss Holte. Since 2021, this event has taken place on the last Sunday of August, its theme, “Experience history by running,” reflecting a course that crosses locations associated with the 17th-century county. The course departs Rietberg, proceeds through the town center towards Westerwiehe, crosses the Steinhorster Becken area towards Kaunitz, and then winds through Holter Wald before its finish at the castle in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock. Relay legs measure approximately 8.8 km, 10.9 km, and 9.1 km, with exchanges at the Westerwiehe sports field and the Ostwestfalenhalle in Kaunitz. The terrain varies between asphalt paths, service roads, and forest trails, offering more diversity than a typical city race. The event also features children's races, the MINI-Graf and KIDS-Graf, a 10 km run from Kaunitz, and a 28 km hiking option. Near Liemke, the fan zone at the Schützenplatz provides live music, food, beverages, and family activities including a sandpit, straw slide, and bouncy castle.