Rules

Organiser

Organiser is the association GABROMAGUS VITALIS (ZVR 1051279057, registered office Mayrwinkl 37, 4575 Roßleithen). Race direction: Bernhard Graßecker.

Event Character

The KalkAlpenMarsch is a long-distance hiking and trail running event along the Nationalpark Kalkalpen with start and finish at Marktplatz Windischgarsten. Two distances are offered: Ultra (53 km · 2,300 m) and Challenge (28 km · 1,200 m), in two variants: KalkAlpenMarsch (long-distance hike) and KalkAlpenTrail (trail run).

Parts of the course run through alpine terrain. Sure-footedness, realistic self-assessment and appropriate physical condition are prerequisites.

Registration

Official registration starts on Sunday, 10 January 2027 at 10:00 online via the official website. Until then, you can join the non-binding interest list and secure your chance at a guaranteed starting place plus attractive benefits for early registrants.

Entry Fee

The entry fee is 95 € for the Ultra distance and 75 € for the Challenge distance. Early registrants on the interest list receive a discount. Registration only becomes binding once payment has been received.

Participant Limit

For the 2027 premiere, the total number of participants is limited to 1,000 people. Once the limit is reached, a waiting list will be set up.

Transferability

Bib and chip are not transferable. Changes to the starting place may be made exclusively through the official transfer exchange, never through private hand-over.

Minimum Age

The minimum age is 18 years on the day of the event (Saturday, 19 June 2027). Minors may participate with written confirmation from a legal guardian. A separate form is provided in the registration area and must be presented at bib pickup.

Fitness to Compete

By signing the liability waiver at bib pickup, every participant confirms their full physical fitness. Participation is at full personal responsibility. A medical check-up is strongly recommended, especially for the Ultra distance and for participants without comparable prior experience.

Experience

For the Ultra distance, experience in multi-hour tours through alpine terrain is required. The course runs partly on simple mountain and pasture paths with exposed passages.

Minimum Recommendation

• Sure-footed hiking or trailrunning shoes with profiled sole
• Weather-appropriate, breathable clothing including rain/wind jacket
• Long trousers or leg-warmers and a warm top for emergencies
• Hat and gloves (relevant at altitude even in summer)
• Enough water: at least 1 litre between aid stations
• Your own emergency nutrition (energy bars or similar)
• First-aid kit including plasters, blister plasters and emergency blanket
• Emergency whistle
• Mobile phone with full battery and the emergency hotline (on the back of the bib)
• Sun protection (cream, sunglasses, headwear)

Recommended

Hiking poles, head torch with spare batteries (Ultra, if arriving late), foldable cup for the aid stations.

Poles

Those who start with poles must carry them throughout. Receiving poles along the course is not permitted.

Bib

The bib is handed out at registration on presentation of an official photo ID and signing of the liability waiver. It must be worn clearly visible on the front during the entire event and is not transferable.

Chip Timing

For electronic timing, a chip is attached to the bib. A deposit is collected for the chip and refunded on return. Timing serves primarily safety and route control; at the same time, it allows ambitious participants to measure their personal performance.

Course Briefing

An online course briefing takes place about one week before the event. Confirmation of attending the briefing is a prerequisite for bib pickup.

In addition, an on-site participant briefing is held in the start area immediately before the respective start. Attendance is mandatory for all starters.

Start Times

Both disciplines start together at Stift Spital am Pyhrn:

• KalkAlpenMarsch: Saturday, 19 June 2027, 06:00
• KalkAlpenTrail: Saturday, 19 June 2027, 06:00

The start line-up takes place 30 minutes before the official start time.

Course Marking

The course is clearly marked with a combination of temporary and permanent signposts. The route can also be downloaded in advance as a GPX file and used on GPS devices or smartphones. Markings are removed shortly after the relevant cut-off has expired.

If markings are missing due to weather or third parties, the rule is: stop, check the map / GPX, if in doubt return to the last confirmed marking and contact the next aid station or the emergency hotline.

Aid Stations

There are several aid stations along the route — four of them on the Challenge distance, all further ones additionally on the Ultra:

• Marktplatz Windischgarsten (km 9)
• Wurbauerkogel (km 11)
• Hanslalm (km 21)
• Hengstpass (km 24) – also the finish of the Challenge distance
• Singerskogl (km 35) – Ultra only
• Gowilalm (km 38) – Ultra only
• Hofalm (km 42) – Ultra only
• Rohrauerhaus (km 44) – Ultra only
• Stift Spital am Pyhrn (km 52) – finish of the Ultra distance

Offered are drinks, snacks and energy bars; some stations also serve warm and cold food. Run by regional clubs, mountain huts and volunteer helpers.

Mandatory Checks

All participants are checked at every aid station. The exact form of the check will be announced in good time before the event – options include an electronic scan, a stamp, or a special pattern punched into the bib. At the finish, it is always verified whether each aid or control station has been passed. Anyone bypassing a control station or with a missing check will be disqualified, even after crossing the finish line.

Course Routing

The route runs on existing hiking and forest paths. Shortcuts or self-chosen route variants are strictly forbidden for safety and nature-protection reasons and lead to disqualification.

Maximum Finish Time

• Ultra distance: 24 hours from the start
• Challenge distance: 12 hours from the start

Cut-offs (Ultra distance)

The following control points have time limits. Anyone failing to reach them is removed from the official ranking for safety reasons:

• Hengstpass – by 12:00 (6 h after the Marsch start)
• Singerskogel – by 17:00 (11 h after the Marsch start)
• Hofalm – by 22:00 (16 h after the Marsch start)

Sweeper Vehicle

At every control point, the “sweeper vehicle” sets off against the course direction at the cut-off time. Participants behind the limit are picked up and safely returned to Windischgarsten.

Weather-related Adjustments

The race and organising direction reserves the right to adjust cut-offs and the course due to weather or safety reasons. Such changes are communicated as early as possible.

On the Course

• Follow the marked route, no shortcuts
• On public roads the Austrian traffic code (StVO) applies
• Consideration for other path users, hikers and alpine livestock
• On narrow passages overtaking is not allowed if it endangers other participants
• Mechanical connections between runners (ropes, bands) are forbidden for safety reasons

Outside Assistance

Assistance from spectators, supporters or pacing vehicles is generally not permitted. Pacing vehicles are forbidden. Most of the course in any case runs over hiking and forest paths.

Exceptions:

• At official aid stations personal nutrition may be handed over
• In case of falls, injuries or emergencies help is always allowed and explicitly desired

Duty of First Aid

Anyone encountering an injured or distressed person is obliged to give first aid and call for help. The resulting time loss will be credited to your own running time.

Withdrawing from the Race

If you have to abandon, please report your withdrawal promptly by SMS, WhatsApp or email to the contact announced during the briefing. Otherwise costs of a search operation may be charged to the participant.

The event sees itself as a contribution to gentle tourism. The following rules are binding:

• Litter is disposed of exclusively at the aid stations
• Discarding any waste in nature leads to immediate disqualification
• Damaging vegetation, paths or wildlife is forbidden
• Accompanying persons are subject to the same rules
• Sensitive areas (wildlife refuges, livestock, protected zones) are avoided or passed especially considerately

Beyond disqualification, violations may also have civil and administrative consequences.

On Site

A medical service is available in the start and finish area from one hour before the start until one hour after the last runner has arrived.

Along the Course

Each aid station has a basic medical care point, e.g. for minor abrasions or blisters. For larger injuries, every participant is responsible for their own emergency call. Mobile responders and regional rescue organisations are on standby throughout the event.

Emergency

In an emergency, call the emergency hotline (on the back of the bib). In case of acute danger to life, always dial 112 (Europe-wide emergency number).

Powers of the Medical Crew

The medical crew may examine, treat, transport and remove participants from the race at any time if continuation can no longer be justified on medical grounds.

Costs

Rescue and transport costs outside the medical crew services provided by the organiser (e.g. helicopter rescue) are borne by the participant. Corresponding rescue or sports insurance is strongly recommended.

Enough said.

KalkAlpenMarsch

In the Marsch (long-distance hike), arriving is what counts. There is no official ranking, no leaderboard and no awards ceremony. All participants receive a personalised finisher certificate with their individual time afterwards. The times are also published in a participant list.

KalkAlpenTrail

The Trail (trail running) is officially ranked. The ranking classes are:

• General class, women / men
• Master, women / men (from 40 years)
• Senior Master, women / men (from 50 years)
• Grand Master, women / men (from 60 years)

Reference date for the age category is the day of the event. Classes are merged when fewer than 15 starters appear per category. The awards ceremony takes place at the finish area on Marktplatz Windischgarsten.

Depending on severity, rule violations may result in time penalties between 5 and 120 minutes or in disqualification. The entry fee is in no case refunded.

Grounds for Sanctions

• Shortening the course or deviating from the official route
• Bypassing control or aid stations
• Discarding waste in nature
• Damaging the markings or nature
• Unauthorised outside assistance, illegal pacing vehicles
• Failure to follow instructions of race direction, marshals or medical crew
• Use of forbidden substances
• Unsportsmanlike conduct towards other participants, helpers or residents

Protests against ranking, sanction or disqualification must be filed in writing at the race office within one hour after the finish closing. The jury decides within 24 hours. All named witnesses must be available for the hearing.

The protest fee is 50 €. In case of a successful protest the fee is refunded; otherwise it remains with the organiser.

Privacy

The personal data collected for registration and event operations is used exclusively to run the event. Details can be found in the privacy statement.

Image Rights

By participating, every participant agrees that photo, video and audio recordings made during the event may be used by the organiser and its media partners without any restriction in time or place, for editorial purposes and to promote the event, also free of charge.

Reservation

The race and organising direction reserves the right to amend this regulation at any time. In case of material changes, participants will be informed in good time by email.

Status: June 2026. The race direction.