Friday 8 August 2025

Königstein, town centre and fortress (Copyright © 2014 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

The Festungslauf (‘Fortress Run’) is a hill running event held annually in Königstein, a small town situated on the River Elbe in the state of Sachsen (Saxony) in Germany, just about thirteen kilometres from the border with Czechia.

The race is 8.8km long and features 470m of ascent, starting at the tourist information office in the town centre and finishing inside the imposing Festung Königstein, one of Europe's largest and most impressive hilltop fortifications.

The course commands stunning panoramic views over the Elbe River Valley and the Sächsische Schweiz (‘Saxon Switzerland’) with its fairy-tale rock formations.

In addition to the 8.8km race, the event offers:

  • 7.1km run for runners aged 65 or over
  • 7.1km walking and nordic walking
  • 1.3km Mini-Lauf for young athletes
  • 1.3km Inklusionslauf for runners of all abilities.

 

 

Map of the venue:

 

21. Festungslauf Königstein:

Date:

  • 8 August 2025 (Friday)

Start time:

  • 18:00:
    • 1.3km Inklusionslauf
  • 18:30:
    • 1.3km kids run
    • 7.1km run
    • 7.1km walking and nordic walking
    • 8.8km run

Event website:

 

Number of finishers:

  • 2024:
    • 8.8km: 361 runners
    • 7.2km: 42 runners and 41 walkers
    • 1.3km: 160 runners
  • 2023:
    • 8.8km: 268 runners
    • 7.1km: 20 runners and 28 walkers
    • 1.3km: 177 runners
  • 2022:
    • 9.4km: 297 runners
    • 7.7km: 30 runners and 31 walkers
    • 1.3km: 53 runners
  • 2021:
    • 9.4km: 280 runners
    • 7.7km: 24 runners and 41 walkers
  • 2020:
    • Event cancelled
  • 2019:
    • 7.8km: 649 runners and 72 walkers
    • 1.3km: 88 runners
  • 2018:
    • 7.8km: 623 runners and 61 walkers
    • 1.7km: 101 runners

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.