Ultra Running Hub Breitungen, Germany · Sunday, April 18, 2027
Pless-Frankenburg-Ultra-Trail
What the course asks
DUV results for the 2025 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, April
Regional 2001-2020 average for April — NASA POWER, grid elevation 343 m. Not a forecast.
Results history
| Year | Race | Finishers | Men's winner | Women's winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50km | 35 | Rico Nehls · 04:10:28 | Lydia Doerfert · 05:06:37 |
| 2024 | 50km | 19 | Johannes Plöttner · 04:22:41 | Beate Ernst · 06:37:16 |
| 2023 | 50km | 14 | Daniel Mittmann · 05:05:50 | Anke Langer · 05:43:29 |
| 2022 | 50km | 8 | Max Breuer · 04:31:22 | Hana Kubickova · 04:46:37 |
The field grew 84% between 2024 (19) and 2025 (35). 17% of the 2025 field were women.
DUV results for the 2025 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
Course notes
- terrain This is a rolling course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.
- gear With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.
Gear for this race
Chosen for 50 km of trail with 1,350 m of ascent.
- Trail Running Shoes 27 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 1,350 m of ascent to walk up.
- GPS Watches Battery life first — a 50 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.
Overview
Staged in Breitungen, Germany, the Pless-Frankenburg-Ultra-Trail sends runners along narrow forest trails across the Hochwald der Thüringer Vorderrhön, climbing both the Pleß and the Frankenburg. The 50-kilometer route packs 1350 meters of ascent, averaging 27 meters of climb per kilometer over the outing.
The defining operational pressure is the clock. With a 7-hour time limit requiring a minimum pace of 8.4 minutes per kilometer, the event features a cut-off tighter than 95% of 50k races—and more generous than only 5%. Runners must maintain continuous forward momentum through the elevation gain, as the schedule leaves almost no buffer for walking extended uphills.
The race draws a modest crowd, with 35 finishers in 2025. Across the wider ultramarathon calendar, the starting cohort is bigger than 48% of 50k fields and smaller than 51%, ensuring open trails through the forest without congested bottlenecks.
Similar races
Other 50K trail ultras, closest in distance first.