Messerpokallauf / Steinbacher Trailcross am Inselsberg

Race completed

50 km Distance

2,000 m Climbing

5.5 Grit · Challenging

50.8157° N, 10.3512° E © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 40 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Time limit 10 hours 12:00 min/km average. Generous. Walkable throughout for most of the field. About average for a 50K. Measured against 1034 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~49 Small. Long stretches with nobody in sight.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, June

Daytime high 22°C

Night low 11°C

Rainfall Mostly dry

Daylight 16 h 31 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for June — NASA POWER, grid elevation 343 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2026	50km	49	Benjamin Sperl · 04:36:36	Helen Schrötter · 06:03:42
2025	50km	37	Johannes Walter · 04:23:26	Mandy du Maire · 06:00:35
2024	50km	32	Swen Thorhauer · 04:38:12	Lisa Iglseder · 05:39:48
2023	50km	22	Frank Wagner · 04:24:38	Ulrike Kleinschmidt · 07:00:44
2022	50km	28	Felix Baiker · 04:35:39	Hana Kubickova · 05:20:57
2021	50km	17	Philipp Widmann · 04:57:18	Hana Kubickova · 05:22:26
2019	50km	22	Marcus Baldauf · 04:28:05	Carola Gasa · 06:37:35

The field grew 32% between 2025 (37) and 2026 (49). 24% of the 2026 field were women.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a mountain course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 50 km of trail with 2,000 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes 40 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition 50 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Pole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles 2,000 m of ascent to walk up.
GPS Watches Battery life first — a 50 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Salomon

Sense Ride 5

RunRepeat found the Salomon Sense Ride 5 to have immaculate lockdown and a smooth and stable ride, making it confident on moderate trails and steep downhills. I…

★★★★★ 4.5

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Spring Energy