Have run this marathon twice. Loved the hilly forest course - definitely not for the faint of heart. Stayed overnight at local homes to get a good night's sleep. Both times weather was cold and/or rainy from the start. No "look at me" showboating here - this is an honest, do-it-on-your-own marathon with few spectators for encouragement and more than enough ascents (and descents) for anyone. Not recommended for a first marathon!!! Great, free, warm pool-soak at the finish!

The course is back to a single marathon loop, about half of which is on non-paved forest trails. While not mountainous, the course does gain a fair amount of elevation. Enthusiastic, if rather sparse crowds (it is through the forest after all!) Good organization. Good marathon if you are tired of beating the pavement for 26 miles

The Schwarzwald Marathon is one of the oldest marathons in Germany and is run in the pretty little town of Braeunlingen in the south of the Black Forest. There is even a granite monument in the town commemorating the finishers. The about 500 starters come not only from Germany, but also from nearby Switzerland and France among other countries, showing the international reputation of this race. Though leading through the not-at-all flat Black Forest, the race (recently changed to two half marathon laps mainly on forest paths) is not really a mountain marathon. However, long ascents and the weather conditions at this time of the year do not make this an easy race. There are relatively many spectators around, among them brass bands dressed in the haunting carnival costumes traditional for this region. The race is an 'old style' marathon, which is not too much commercialized on a beautiful but difficult course.