The legendary trailrunning event across the Alps August 28 – September 3, 2026
Source: https://www.transalpine-run.com/ https://www.instagram.com/transalpine_run/
The Transalpine Run (TAR) is widely considered one of the most prestigious and grueling stage races in the world of trail running. Since its inception, it has evolved from a niche endurance challenge into a world-class event that defines the “team” spirit of mountain running.
The Origins (2005)
The race was founded in 2005 by the German event agency PLAN B Event Company, with significant backing from its long-term title sponsors (originally GORE-TEX, now DYNAFIT).
- The Premiere: The first edition saw 74 teams set off from Oberstdorf, Germany.
- The Concept: It was designed as a multi-day stage race crossing the main ridge of the Alps, finishing in South Tyrol, Italy. Unlike most ultramarathons of that era, it was strictly a team-of-two event, primarily for safety in high-alpine terrain and to foster a unique psychological challenge.
Evolution of the Format
Over the last two decades, the race has undergone several key transformations:
- Distance and Duration: Most editions traditionally spanned 8 days, covering roughly 250–300 km with vertical gains often exceeding 15,000 meters. In recent years (starting around 2024–2025), the format shifted to a 7-day journey to make it more compact yet remain just as intense.
- The “Western” vs. “Eastern” Routes: To keep the race fresh, the organizers established two main alternating routes:
- Western Route: Typically starts in Oberstdorf (GER) or Lech am Arlberg (AUT) and finishes in places like Prad am Stilfserjoch or Sulden (ITA).
- Eastern Route: Often starts in Ruhpolding (GER) and finishes in Sexten (ITA).
- Introduction of “RUN2”: To lower the barrier for entry, the RUN2 was introduced, allowing runners to compete in just the first two stages of the main event.
- Solo Category: While the team-of-two remains the “soul” of the TAR, a solo category was recently added to accommodate individual athletes, though the team rankings remain the most prestigious.
Key Milestones and Legends
- Holger Schulze: Often called the “Record Man” of the TAR, Schulze participated in every single edition since 2005. He reached his 100th stage milestone in 2017, symbolizing the dedicated community the race has built.
- Course Records: In 2009, British duo Andrew Symonds and Tom Owens set a legendary pace, winning all but one stage and shattering existing course records.
- The 20th Anniversary (2025): The race celebrated its 20th edition in September 2025, starting in Lech am Arlberg and finishing at Lake Reschen, featuring a record number of participants from nearly 40 countries.
Why it is Unique
The Transalpine Run is often described as “a week among friends.” Unlike single-day races (like the UTMB), the TAR creates a traveling “circus” where runners, organizers, and physios move from village to village together. This creates a deep sense of community, where the shared “suffering” of 30–50 kilometers a day leads to lifelong bonds.
There have been Luxembourgish racers in the Transalpine Run (TAR) throughout its history, though they represent a smaller percentage of the field compared to the dominant German, Austrian, and Swiss contingents.
The most notable Luxembourgish participant in the race’s history is Lis Kayser, who achieved significant success in the event’s earlier years.
Notable Luxembourgish Participation
- Lis Kayser: A prominent trail runner from Luxembourg, she competed in the 2008 GORE-TEX TransAlpine-Run.
- Performance: Running for “Team Lausilux Flitterwochen,” she finished 5th overall in the women’s category and 1st in the W20 age group.
- Distance: She completed the full 300 km, 8-stage course in a time of 36:36:51.
- Team Participation: Luxembourgish runners often enter as part of mixed-nationality teams or “hobby” teams. Given Luxembourg’s strong trail running community (centered around events like the Ultra-Trail du Mullerthal), it is common to see 2–5 teams from the Grand Duchy in the starting list each year.
- 2025 Edition: In the recent 20th-anniversary edition (September 2025), the participation list included over 40 nations. While podium finishes were dominated by Alpine nations, Luxembourgish athletes were present in the mid-pack of the Solo and Team categories.
How to Find Specific Names
If you are looking for a specific friend or athlete, you can find them using the following official resources:
- Datasport: This is the primary timing partner for the TAR. You can search their archives by “Nationality” to see every Luxembourgish finisher since the race began.
- ITRA (International Trail Running Association): Their database lists “Luxembourg” as a searchable nationality for the Transalpine Run results, covering both the Solo and Team races.
When talking about a “specific time” for the Transalpine Run (TAR), it’s helpful to look at it from three angles: the daily stage times, the total cumulative time, and the cut-off limits.
Because the route changes every year, there is no single “world record” in the way a marathon has one, but the 2024 and 2025 results give a clear picture of the pace required.
1. Daily Stage Times (What to expect each day)
Each stage is essentially a mountain marathon. A “typical” day involves 35–45 km and 2,000–3,000 meters of climbing.
- Elite/Pro Pace: The fastest teams finish daily stages in 3 to 5 hours.
- Strong Amateur Pace: Most competitive club runners finish in 6 to 8 hours.
- Mid-to-Back Pack: Many participants spend 8 to 11 hours on the trail each day.
2. Total Cumulative Time (The Finishers)
For a full 7-day crossing (approx. 240–270 km), the total times vary wildly based on fitness:
- Winners (Elite): Usually clock a total time between 26 and 30 hours.
- Example: In the 2025 edition, the top solo male (Lukas Mangger) finished the entire 7-day course in 26:20:32.
- Average Finisher: Most teams finish with a cumulative time of 45 to 55 hours.
- The “Cut-off” Finisher: Runners at the back of the pack often accumulate 65+ hours of total movement.
3. The “Cut-Off” (The time you MUST beat)
The organizers set strict time limits for safety (to ensure everyone is off the high peaks before dark).
- Daily Cut-offs: Usually, you have about 10–12 hours to complete a stage. If you miss a checkpoint or finish after the cut-off, you may be allowed to start the next day, but you will no longer be “in the ranking” for a finisher medal.
- Rule of Thumb: If you can consistently maintain a pace of 12–15 minutes per kilometer on steep, technical mountain terrain, you will comfortably finish within the time limits.
4. When does it take place?
If you meant “what time of year,” the race is almost always held in late August or early September.
- 2025 Dates: September 6 – September 12.
- 2026 Dates: Registration usually opens in late autumn (November/December) the year prior.
The Transalpine Run (TAR) is widely considered one of the most prestigious and grueling stage races in the world of trail running.
Registration for the 2026 Transalpine Run (TAR) officially opened on December 2, 2025. Because this race typically sells out early—especially for the popular Team and Solo categories—it is recommended to register as soon as possible.
2026 Registration Details
- Race Dates: August 28 – September 3, 2026
- Official Website: transalpine-run.com
- Registration Platform: The race uses Datasport for its official entry management.
- Direct Registration Link: Transalpine Run 2026 Registration (via Datasport)
What’s New for 2026?
The 2026 edition features a completely new route through Switzerland, moving from North to South:
- The Route: Starts in Lenzerheide and finishes at Lake Maggiore (Locarno).
- The Distance: Approximately 250 kilometers with over 17,000 meters of vertical gain.
- Key Highlights: The route passes through the Rhine Gorge (Rheinschlucht), the Greina Plateau, and the ancient Ticino mule trails.
Estimated Costs (approximate)
Based on current rates for the 2026 edition:
- TAR (7 days): Starting around €1,799 per team or roughly €990 per solo runner.
- RUN2 (2 days): Approximately €1,099 per team (includes a package with accommodation/logistics).
Pro Tip: Make sure you have your medical certificate ready or know the deadline for submission, as the TAR requires a specific health self-declaration or doctor’s note due to the high-altitude nature of the race.
For the 2026 edition, the Transalpine Run is taking place entirely in Switzerland.
While the race traditionally crosses two or three countries (like Germany, Austria, and Italy), the 2026 route is a specialized “North-to-South” traverse of the Swiss Alps, covering approximately 250 kilometers and 17,000 meters of vertical gain.1
The 2026 Stages
The race consists of 7 stages starting in the high-altitude resort of Lenzerheide and finishing at the Mediterranean-style shores of Lake Maggiore in Locarno.2
| Stage | Start Location | Finish Location | Key Highlights |
| 1 | Lenzerheide | Ilanz | The “First City on the Rhine” |
| 2 | Ilanz | Vrin | Through the spectacular Rhine Gorge (Rheinschlucht) |
| 3 | Vrin | Olivone | Crossing the remote Greina Plateau |
| 4 | Olivone | Biasca | High-alpine trails and deep valleys |
| 5 | Biasca | Biasca | Often a loop or technical stage in the Ticino region |
| 6 | Biasca | Valle Verzasca | The famous emerald waters of the Verzasca Valley |
| 7 | Valle Verzasca | Locarno | Grand Finale at Lake Maggiore |
Important Route Characteristics
- Terrain: This specific route is known for its contrast—starting in the rugged, rocky Swiss heartland and ending in the palm-tree-lined “Dolce Vita” atmosphere of the Italian-speaking Ticino region.
- Technicality: The Swiss stages (especially stages 3 and 4) are known for being more technical and remote than the traditional German/Austrian routes, with “mule trails” and high mountain passes.3
- RUN2 Option: If you are not ready for all 7 stages, the RUN2 category covers only the first two stages (Lenzerheide to Vrin).
