König Ludwig Marathon
Fussener, Germany
July 26, 2025
Marathon Results
Top 3 Finishers by Year |
Contact Information
Name: | Herbert Hiemer | |
Address: | Abt-Hafner-Str. 2
87629 Füssen |
|
Phone Number: | (08362) 921290 | |
Fax Number: | (08362) 921291 | |
Email: | Email the organizers |
Runner Reviews (7)
S. J. from Basel, Switzerland
(7/25/2011)
"Great, friendly race in fantastic surroundings" (about: 2011)
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11-50 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a really nice race, organized by some of the most friendly people I've met in marathon races. It's not a big marathon - maybe about 700-800 runners for the full distance - but it has a very friendly ambience. Bib pick-up was easy - no crowds, no-one pushing or shoving; just nice people behind the counter happily chatting about the expected race-day weather etc. Included in the price of the race was a voucher for a free plate of pasta, a nice runner's t-shirt and a slab of local cheese - the goody bag itself was of very good quality and will serve as a decent shopping bag! As mentioned in other reviews the race course is relatively flat, with just a long slow climb around 32 km, and a nasty calf-biting 100m climb about 500 meters before the finish! The course is mainly on paths or tarmac bicycle paths - which given the previous day's rain meant sometimes leaping across puddles. The views throughout the course are great - of the two lakes, of the mountains and of course the two castles! On race-day the weather was very cloudy - which gave the mountains a mystical, forbidden appearance to them... Not a lot of people along the course - but everyone who was there (often grouped in little clusters of 2-6 people) applauded and cheered everyone along: even when the rain drizzled continuously. The volunteers along the course were equally enthusiastic and helpful - running alongside you to allow you to grab a cup of water without spilling it! The only negative bit - they made us go through a field at 31 km. Being relatively in front meant the grass was easy to traverse (even if it soaked your shoes) but I dread to think how it would be for runner 400+. It would have been a big mud pool! Overall it's a pretty fast race as well - I managed a new PR at 3'11'20, something I haven't been able to do in the last few years despite running in some 'so-called' fast races as Amsterdam, Berlin or Rotterdam. All in all - an excellent and rewarding trip/race! Run it! | |
K. W. from Independence,Kentucky
(12/31/2009)
"Wunderbar; Perfect Running Conditions" (about: 2009)
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11-50 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Being Bavarian, I like to run at least one marathon a year in that German state. This year, I ran King Ludwig for the first time. The marathon expo took place under a large tent in the small town of Fussen, where on race day you could buy a perfect pre-race meal of a buttered pretzel and coffee. Spend a few days in Munich before the race and do some carbo loading with beer and brats in Englisher Garten underneath the Chinese Tower. The train ride from the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in Munich to Fussen is about two hours. The views along the course were fantastic, including running around a few lakes, the Neuschwanstein Castle (from the 31KM mark to about 34KM), and alongside the Romantic Road before ending in old town of Fussen. Do this marathon, then come back in late September for the Oktoberfest. | |
M. H. from Stelzenberg, Germany
(8/10/2009)
"Wonderful, Small Marathon Experience; Very Scenic" (about: 2009)
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11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first small marathon and it was very enjoyable and rewarding. The location is beautiful and the course, particularly the first half, is very scenic, running along the shore of pretty lakes. Support was awesome (you could probably gain weight on this marathon). Fan support was limited, probably due to the large amount of the course on trails. I was one of a handful of Americans running this race, but was made to feel very welcome by the whole community. The goody bag I received had two great tech shirts in it (I'm not sure if everyone got two; perhaps it was because I was one of the last to pick up my race packet); this marathon is a great value for the money. The course is fairly flat, but there are some windy climbs near the end as you re-enter the city. Very well organized and you can park right next to the start or walk from a nearby hotel... though book early, as the hotels were full for this weekend. I would definitely run this marathon again. | |
C. S. from Garmisch, Germany
(8/2/2009)
"Best running environment ever!" (about: 2009)
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2 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a treat for a marathon. While it certainly wasn't "romantic," the course is picture perfect - with great views of the Alps, and even better views of the Alps reflecting off of the local lakes for much of the race. The running route mostly takes you over softer running paths instead of asphalt, and the course is also well-marked. There were plenty of water and "Isso" stands along the way, including fruit, etc. at least five times. I was most impressed by the VALUE of this marathon - you get a great shirt, free pasta dinner, and unbelievable views. This is hard to beat for the money. If you have a chance to run this, you won't be disappointed. I really enjoyed the lack of crowds - there were only 700+ runners total, so many times I was completely alone during the run. The only downside I have is that during the race, sometimes you needed to "watch your step," as many cows had roamed not too long before the runners! | |
H. S. from Indianapolis, IN
(8/5/2008)
"Exceptional" (about: 2008)
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6-10 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have had my eye on this race for quite some time now. Finally my vacation plans and the race date coincided. Packet pickup was a breeze and well organized. Start/finish area are the same and there is plenty of parking. The course itself is spectacular. The 2008 course was improved to remove a last climb just prior to the finish line - good move. Organizers and helpers alike did a great job. A lot of attention is paid to individuals crossing the finish line. Many are even interviewed to get immediate "feedback." The only improvement I could think of is to have more post-race food instead of just bananas/apples. If you are used to running your races in "mile" splits, be sure to have some sort of conversion pace/chart handy. It was a little odd to get used to the kilometer pacing/timing... but even that was settled after a few splits. | |
M. L. from Switzerland
(7/28/2008)
"Gorgeous!" (about: 2008)
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11-50 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 What a beautiful run! Something like 95% of the course is on either bike paths or dirt running paths, and the scenery is spectacular. The race could have used a few more directional signs, however, as a few people (myself included) took a wrong turn and ran an extra .5K in the wrong direction. If you are looking for an extremely peaceful/relaxing run, then this is a MUST-DO. | |
Jeff Miller from Washington DC USA
(8/16/2006)
"Run this marathon before it is discovered!" (about: 2006)
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6-10 previous marathons
| 1 König Ludwig Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran in this year's edition of the King Ludwig Marathon while vacationing in Bavaria. It was a gem! First of all, I want to thank all of the volunteers who staffed the race. We can't run without you, and you did a magnificent job. I also want to thank Markus Dettlaff at SportStudio Fussen for navigating me through the registration process to ensure my entry in the marathon. My German-language skills are very rusty, but everyone on the race staff made that fact a non-issue. Finally, I want to thank the two very kind women at registration who assisted me with packet pick-up, and patiently answered all of my questions regarding the marathon. Your encouragement before, during and after the race made my experience most memorable. The course starts at the concert hall on the lake and follows bicycle paths through an alpine valley, meandering around several lakes and past two of Ludwig's castles. Five of the last seven miles were a gentle climb into the hills above Fussen along tree-lined paths past more alpine lakes. The last two miles sloped downhill into the cobble-stoned streets of old town. The volunteer staff went so far as to set up a table with folded towels should any runners wish to take a quick dip in the cool, clear waters of one of the lakes. I did, and the benefit of cooling off in brisk water far outweighed any concerns I had about lost time. Even though Europe was suffering through a heat wave, cloudy conditions, tree-shaded paths and quick dips in the lake made the run pleasant (if not ideal for a PR). Aid stations were plentiful, and well-stocked with sports drink, water, apples, bananas, pears, granola bars and pastries. The crowds were sparse, but you don't run this marathon for the spectators - it's for the magnificent views. This is a well-staffed, well-organized marathon with world-class vistas. It will be discovered by the masses at some point. Run it before they do! |
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