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West to East

From the historic marketplace in Aachen, past the Hambach open-pit mine, across the Rhine river with views of Cologne Cathedral, along the Biggesee, through the Hochsauerland region to Lake Edersee, and across the vast landscapes of eastern Germany to the Blue Lagoon in Görlitz – the Race Across Germany West–East connects the westernmost and easternmost cities of the country. Between them lie roughly 800 kilometers, taking riders from the lakes of western germany through the wide plains of central Germany into the rolling hills of Saxony. The route is not only physically demanding, but also symbolic: it spans the entire width of Germany, crosses regions that were once divided, and makes reaching the Polish border a deeply emotional moment. Anyone who arrives here feels they have done more than just ride a race – they have crossed an entire country in one continuous effort.

The shorter variant from Eschwege to Görlitz offers a compact yet equally powerful journey. Starting from the heart of Germany, it heads eastward through the Saale-Unstrut region, across Saxony’s rolling hills, and on to Lake Berzdorf near Görlitz. Here too, the finish means having crossed boundaries and rediscovered personal strength. Whether after 800 or 460 kilometers – the arrival at the Blue Lagoon is a triumph filled with emotions: fatigue, joy, and pride blend into an unforgettable experience. The finisher jersey stands for more than a race – it embodies the feeling of becoming part of something greater: a community that has conquered Germany on two wheels from west to east.

Event

Aachen-Görlitz

Next date:27. – 30. August 2026
Distance:800 Kilometers
Elevation gain:7800 Meters of elevation
Registration opens:01. August 2025
Registration closes:13. August 2026
Maximum participants:200 Slots
First start:27.08.2026 – 18:00 o'clock
Last start:28.08.2026 – 10:02 o'clock
Latest Finish:30.08.2026 – 04:40 o'clock
Cutoff Time:30.08.2026 – 06:38 o'clock

Eschwege-Görlitz

Next date:28. – 30. August 2026
Distance:425 Kilometers
Elevation gain:3300 Meters of elevation
Registration opens:01. August 2025
Registration closes:14. August 2026
Maximum participants:100 Slots
First start:28.08.2026 – 20:00 o'clock
Last start:28.08.2026 – 21:18 o'clock
Latest Finish:30.08.2026 – 04:16 o'clock
Cutoff Time:30.08.2026 – 05:38 o'clock

Schedule

Aachen-Görlitz

Briefing
  • About four weeks before the start, all registered participants will receive the final route as a GPX file along with the written briefing by email. This document contains all relevant information regarding the course of the event, safety aspects, and organizational details. It also specifies the exact location and timeframe for accreditation.

Entry Fee
  • The entry fee depends on the category and the date of registration: The amount is clearly visible and transparent before completing the registration.

Accreditation
  • Accreditation and collection of race documents take place on Thursday evening before the start. Each participant will receive their race number, GPS tracker, and last-minute organizational information. A personal signature on the registration documents on-site is required for participation – this also applies to all members of support teams. Without completed accreditation, participation in the event is not possible.

Startphase 1
  • The first start takes place on 27.08.2026 at 18:00 o'clock. It starts at most one solo rider(s) or one team every 120 seconds. The last start takes place at 19:58 o'clock.

Startphase 2
  • The first start takes place on 28.08.2026 at 08:00 o'clock. They start at most 2 solo rider(s) or one team every 120 seconds. The last start takes place at 10:38 o'clock.

Timestations
  • 1. Köln
  • 2. Biggesee
  • 3. Winterberg
  • 4. Edersee
  • 5. Eschwege
  • 6. Straußfurt
  • 7. Naumburg
  • 8. Wilsdruff
Baggagetransfer
  • For all participants in the non-supported categories, luggage transport for change of clothes, shower items, and personal small items to the destination is offered. A small carry-on bag is allowed, which must be handed in directly before the start on Friday morning. The luggage may be a maximum of 40 × 30 × 15 cm in size and up to 4 kg in weight (please no valuables or bulky items). In case of race withdrawal, a return address should be attached – the luggage will then be sent back home free of charge after the GPS tracker is returned.

Nutrition
  • Basically, all participants and teams are responsible for their own catering. All participants in the non-supported categories can drop off a small, prepared food package with the organizer on Friday morning before the start, which will be ready for them at the time station in Eschwege. The package remains there and will not be transported to the finish. The route is chosen so that there are sufficient opportunities for self-supply along the way – for example, through supermarkets, bakeries, gas stations, or cemeteries with water points.

Finish
  • At the finish line, arrival is registered and participants receive a personal welcome from the organizer along with a finisher photo. All starters who reach the finish line receive the official Race Across Germany finisher jersey as well as a medal. Finishers who complete the race within the time limits receive a digital certificate. Awards for the top finishers are presented immediately after crossing the finish line, once the rankings within the categories have been determined. All finishing times and course records are published live on the website.

Eschwege-Görlitz

Briefing
  • About four weeks before the start, all registered participants will receive the final route as a GPX file along with the written briefing by email. This document contains all relevant information regarding the course of the event, safety aspects, and organizational details. It also specifies the exact location and timeframe for accreditation.

Entry Fee
  • The entry fee depends on the category and the date of registration: The amount is clearly visible and transparent before completing the registration.

Accreditation
  • Accreditation and collection of race documents take place on Friday evening before the start. Each participant will receive their race number, GPS tracker, and last-minute organizational information. A personal signature on the registration documents on-site is required for participation – this also applies to all members of support teams. Without completed accreditation, participation in the event is not possible.

Start
  • The first start takes place on 28.08.2026 at 20:00 o'clock. They start at most 2 solo rider(s) or one team every 120 seconds. The last start takes place at 21:38 o'clock.

Timestations
  • 1. Straußfurt
  • 2. Naumburg
  • 3. Wilsdruff
Baggagetransfer
  • For all participants in the non-supported categories, luggage transport for change of clothes, shower items, and personal small items to the destination is offered. A small carry-on bag is allowed, which must be handed in directly before the start on Friday evening. The luggage may be a maximum of 40 × 30 × 15 cm in size and up to 4 kg in weight (please no valuables or bulky items). In case of race withdrawal, a return address should be attached – the luggage will then be sent back home free of charge after the GPS tracker is returned.

Nutrition
  • In general, all participants and teams are responsible for their own food and supplies. The route has been designed so that there are sufficient opportunities for self-supply along the way – for example, supermarkets, bakeries, gas stations, or cemeteries with water taps.

Finish
  • At the finish line, arrival registration takes place along with a personal greeting from the organizer and a finisher photo. All starters who reach the finish line receive the official Race Across Germany Light finisher jersey as well as a medal. Finishers who reach the finish within the time limits receive a digital certificate. Awards for first-place winners are given immediately after crossing the finish line, as soon as the rankings within the categories are determined. All finisher times and course records are published live on the website.

Timelimits

Aachen-Görlitz

The following time limits must be met in order to be classified. The limits differ depending on the category.

Solo Supported (M50-): 40h:00min
Solo Supported (M50+): 41h:00min
Solo Supported (M60+): 42h:00min
Solo Supported (F50-): 41h:00min
Solo Supported (F50+): 42h:00min
Solo Supported (F60+): 43h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50-): 41h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50+): 42h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M60+): 43h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50-): 42h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50+): 43h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F60+): 44h:00min
All teams with support: 38h:00min
All teams without support: 40h:00min

Eschwege-Görlitz

The following time limits must be met in order to be classified. The limits differ depending on the category.

Solo Supported (M50-): 28h:00min
Solo Supported (M50+): 29h:00min
Solo Supported (M60+): 30h:00min
Solo Supported (F50-): 29h:00min
Solo Supported (F50+): 30h:00min
Solo Supported (F60+): 31h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50-): 29h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50+): 30h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M60+): 31h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50-): 30h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50+): 31h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F60+): 32h:00min
All teams with support: 26h:00min
All teams without support: 28h:00min

RAAM Qualification

Aachen-Görlitz

The following times qualify for RAAM in the respective solo categories.

Solo Supported (M50-): 32h:00min
Solo Supported (M50+): 33h:00min
Solo Supported (M60+): 34h:00min
Solo Supported (F50-): 33h:00min
Solo Supported (F50+): 34h:00min
Solo Supported (F60+): 35h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50-): 33h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M50+): 34h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (M60+): 35h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50-): 34h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F50+): 35h:00min
Solo Nonsupported (F60+): 36h:00min

Course records

Aachen-Görlitz

Solo supported (M50-):
Rainer Steinberger (2019) 25h:16min
Solo supported (M50+):
Peter Skovbak (2021) 30h:26min
Solo supported (M60+):
Peter Scherrer (2021) 29h:16min
Solo supported (F50-):
Helen Stöckel (2025) 34h:08min
Solo nonsupported (M50-):
Michael Bitter (2024) 27h:45min
Solo nonsupported (M50+):
Herbert Manz (2025) 29h:25min
Solo nonsupported (M60+):
Thomas Meisel (2025) 32h:57min
Solo nonsupported (F50-):
Sabrina Baumsteiger (2025) 36h:15min
Solo nonsupported (F60+):
Sonja Womser (2025) 43h:54min
2er-Team supported (m/f):
Steffi Steinberg, Gerry Steinberg (2021) 27h:23min
2er-Team nonsupported (m):
Konrad Pfützner, Maik Hesse (2023) 26h:51min
2er-Team nonsupported (m/f):
Katharina Sistemich, Florian Sistemich (2024) 49h:10min
4er-Team supported (m):
Huss-Marp, Barbus, Hahn, Ruland (2017) 27h:58min
4er-Team nonsupported (m):
Karl Burchardt, Ralf Burchardt, Paul Zeise (2025) 41h:21min

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