TRAIL GUIDE
2026

Each participant participates independently, based on their fitness, training level, and especially their state of health on the day of the event.

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Participants are liable for any damage or accidents caused by themselves and are responsible for their own insurance coverage.

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• Participants in RET11 and RET22 must be at least 16 years old by April 18, 2026.

• Special RET11 regulations apply to children born up to and including April 17, 2010, who still wish to participate in RET11. Registration is normal, but parents/guardians are asked to sign a letter confirming that their children are fit and well-trained to meet this challenge.

• Participants in the RET Hike22 must be at least 14 years old by April 18, 2026.

• Participants in the RET44+/RET Hike44+ and RET77 must be at least 18 years old by April 18, 2026.

• RET Kids: All children born after April 19, 2010 on the day of the race (April 18) are eligible to participate. Children born in 2017 and younger may be accompanied by an adult. Late registrations are also possible on the day of the race up to one hour before the start.​

Participants are liable for damages and accidents caused by their own fault and are responsible for their own insurance coverage.

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With the exception of the RET Kids Run, the RET is a difficult trail race! For all distances, surefootedness and experience in steep and rough terrain are required. Depending on the weather, some sections of the route can be very muddy.

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There will be road and railway crossings at all distances. Public roads are generally NOT closed for the RET.

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Participants will not automatically be given right of way based on the race situation. The road traffic regulations always apply.

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Road crossings will be clearly marked and manned by marshals at unclear locations.

Participants may need to be able to navigate the course independently. We recommend using a GPS-based navigation device with a pre-stored track of the course.

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Participants must ensure they have sufficient water and food at all times, even away from the aid stations.

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After the start, participants are not permitted to accept any additional equipment (such as poles) from outside. Participants must also carry all their (start) equipment to the finish. Disposing of waste in designated trash cans (and only there, please!) is, of course, permitted.

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Personal needs may only be provided at official aid stations (no assistance in Heimbach and Nideggen-Rath).

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Apart from cheering and emotional support, any other outside assistance is prohibited during the race! Exceptions apply, of course, in the event of accidents or emergencies!

The race briefing will be sent by eMail no later than April 12, 2026. All important and current information about the race schedule will be provided here. The race briefing is a current part of the Trail Guide and must be read carefully by every participant.

Since the race number is not transferable, a photo ID must be presented when collecting the starting documents. The BIB number must be clearly visible worn at the front throughout the entire race. 

A transponder chip in the shoe records the running time for each participant. If the chip is lost, the race director must be informed immediately. The cell phone number will be announced in the race briefing and is located on the BIB number.

The elevation profiles and course descriptions will be published online. GPS files for all distances will also be available for download with the race briefing.

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It is of course prohibited to take shortcuts to the designated route. Leaving the paths and trails is prohibited (this will result in disqualification!). There is a risk of falling in places immediately off the route.

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The routes will be marked with red arrows. There will also be signs and tape at relevant locations. The specific course markings will be explained in detail in the race briefing.

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​​1. Heimbach/oberhalb Kurpark:

RET77 (KM 18.3 und 21)

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2. Schmidt/Schöne Aussicht:

RET77 (KM 31.5)

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3. Bergstein/Parkplatz Burgberg:

RET22 /Hike(KM 8.3), RET44+/HIKE (KM 16.2), RET77 (KM 47.6)

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4. Obermaubach/Staumauer:

RET22/Hike (KM 14.9), RET44+/HIKE (KM 26.3), RET77 (KM 57.5)

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5. Nideggen-Rath/Wanderhütte

RET44+/HIKE (KM 35.3), RET77 (KM 66.7)

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6. Gut Kallerbend

RET11 (KM 7), RET44+/HIKE (KM 40.5), RET77 (KM 71.9)

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A variety of drinks, sweets, and savory snacks are available at each stop. Details will be announced in the race briefing. A plentiful supply of refreshments awaits all participants in the finish area!!

Mandatory equipment for all distances:

• Closed trail running shoes with treaded soles

• Collapsible cup/water bottle (there are no plastic cups, even at the finish line)

• Mobile phone with emergency and race control numbers stored (will be announced in the race briefing and is located on the back of your race number)

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Additional mandatory equipment for RET44+ and RET77:

• Water bottle with a capacity of at least 1 liter

• First aid kit (emergency blanket, 2 bandages, 2 gauze bandages, 1 compress, disposable gloves)
   

Additional possible mandatory equipment for RET44+ and RET77 according to a decision on wednesday, April 15, 2026, depending on the weather conditions:

• Long-sleeved top or arm warmers

• Long pants or leg warmers

• Rain jacket (does not replace the long-sleeved top)

• Gloves

• Hat

The required equipment can be checked before and during the race.

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Our recommendations and tips for all distances:

• Running backpack with personally tested supplies

• Change

• GPS watch/device with a stored GPS track

• Poles (recommended only for RET44+ and RET77)

• In strong sunlight: Hat and sunscreen!

To avoid cuts and abrasions, we recommend rubbing sensitive areas (thighs, armpits, chest) with moisturizing cream/Vaseline before the start.

We assume that you will be considerate and careful along the course.

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• Garbage may only be disposed of at the aid stations.

• Nature must not be intentionally damaged.

• Do not take shortcuts; do not run off the trail.

In the start/finish area:

Your health is important to us. Our first aid crew is available 30 minutes before and until approximately 30 minutes after the race.

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During the race - emergency medical number:

If someone gets into emergency situations, every participant is required to call an emergency number. The emergency number will be provided in the race briefing and is located on the back of your race number. If the emergency number is unavailable, the emergency number 112 must be contacted immediately. Every participant is required to provide first aid in an emergency, even during the race. If there is concern about their own race, the time lost can be reimbursed.

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Every participant is required to follow the instructions of the first aid crew and all official RET course marshals, especially if they order a participant to be removed from the race for health reasons. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

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Any costs for a necessary rescue/recovery operation that cannot be performed by our first aid crew will be borne by the participant.

Each participant agrees to follow the rules of this trail guide and the “fair play” principle. The instructions of the RET staff must be followed.

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In the event of violations, the RET staff may impose time penalties of between 5 and 60 minutes or immediate disqualification. In this case, the entry fee will not be refunded.

The finish line for all distances is 8:45 p.m.

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Cut-off times for all distances:

• Bergstein VP 3:00 p.m.

• Obermaubach VP 5:00 p.m.

• Nideggen-Rath VP 6:30 p.m.

• Gut Kallerbend VP 7:30 p.m.

Each participant can still finish their run (outside the rankings).

The organizer reserves the right to adjust the course and time limit at any time, e.g., due to weather conditions.

The rules listed here are not exhaustive. They are based on experience gained from our previous and similar events. Race management reserves the right to make changes until immediately before the start.

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… and last but not least, so that these rules become superfluous in the best-case scenario, we ask all participants to be considerate, sportsmanlike, and fair throughout the entire event. With that in mind: Go out and have fun!!!