The Hausruck Challenge is an iconic trail running event in Upper Austria, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026. Known as one of Austria's "greenest" races, the course leads participants through the dense and scenic Hausruck forest. The event features a primarily off-road terrain with only 420 meters of total elevation gain, though the 26.2 km distance is punctuated by rolling hills that demand strategic energy management. Five refreshment stations are positioned along the route to support the expected 6,500 participants and 13,000 visitors who descend on the quiet village of Geboltskirchen for this nature-focused athletic festival.
| Challenge | Distance | Key Feature | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hausruck Challenge | 26.2 km | Full forest loop | 04:00 PM onwards |
| Split Challenge | 26.2 km | 2-person relay | 04:00 PM onwards |
| Light Challenge | 6.6 km | Shortened trail | Check info sheet |
| Nordic Walking | 6.6 km | Non-competitive nature walk | Check info sheet |
| Kids Challenge | From 100 m | Youth categories | 02:00 PM |
Geboltskirchen is a charming municipality in the Grieskirchen district of Upper Austria, with a population of approximately 1,400 residents. The demographic profile of the region reflects a high level of social stability, with a median age of around 44 years and a population that is roughly 98% Austrian-born or long-term residents from neighboring EU countries. Upper Austria is one of the nation's wealthiest federal provinces, with a disposable per capita income of approximately €30,800. Geographically, the area is defined by the Hausruckwald, the largest continuous forest area in Central Europe. The landscape consists of gently rolling hills composed of sandstone and clay, historically significant for lignite mining but now predominantly utilized for sustainable forestry and high-altitude health tourism.
The race office opens at 12:30 PM at the Geboltskirchen primary school for bib collection. A unique feature of the event is the free shuttle bus service provided for Light Challenge and Nordic Walking participants, as well as for the second runner in the Split Challenge relay. Award ceremonies are held in the local Stockschützenhalle, starting with the children's categories at 4:00 PM and culminating with the main challenge winners at 6:30 PM. For technical support, course GPS data, or registration inquiries, participants can visit the official site managed by LC MKW Hausruck or contact the organization team directly at [email protected].
May 09, 2026
Distance — 26.2K
Type — Running
15:00
€39.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 26.2K
Type — Running
15:00
€49.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 6.6K
Type — Running
15:50
€19.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 6.6K
Type — Running
15:50
€19.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Geboltskirchen.
Learn more about the host city, Geboltskirchen.
Geboltskirchen is a municipality in the district of Grieskirchen in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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