La Course des Châteaux d'Ottrott - 10 km 2026

La Course des Châteaux d'Ottrott is a 10 km race held in October around Ottrott and Mont Sainte-Odile in Alsace. It is part of a meeting that includes three adult races and four children's races. The name references the Lutzelbourg and Rathsamhausen castles, though the route only ascends towards them before descending back to Ottrott. With 210 meters of elevation gain, it is not a mountain race, but the course demands strong legs as a challenging section follows several fast early kilometers. The course begins on a gradual uphill false flat, descends slightly onto vineyard paths below Ottrott, and then exits the vines after the first kilometer to run alongside meadows and climb back toward the village. The initial significant climb starts around kilometer 2.5 on the paved street by the church, ascending towards the Eichwaeldel housing area at the base of the castles. After approximately 600 meters, it levels out, and the route then descends through the housing area, reaching a refreshment station near kilometer 4. Previous iterations utilized the Saint-Nabor quarry and subsequently the Saint-Nabor vineyards, but since 2003, the vineyard section has been relocated to the start. This change has resulted in a faster course while retaining a climb that can disrupt a runner's rhythm.