Allgäu Panorama Marathon 2027: courses, cut-offs, registration

The 20th Allgäu Panorama Marathon starts in Sonthofen on 8 August 2027 – with around 1,110 metres of climbing in the first 18 km, a cut-off at Grasgehren and a new reverse half marathon on Saturday.

Daniel Gruber · 4 October 2026 · 8 min read

Allgäu Panorama Marathon 2027: courses, cut-offs, registration

The 20th Allgäu Panorama Marathon takes place on Sunday, 8 August 2027 in Sonthofen, in the Bavarian Alps (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, home page). It isn't a city marathon but a mountain and landscape race: the marathon heads straight over the Hörnergruppe ridge, and according to the organiser the first 18 km climb around 1,110 metres (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule/cut-offs). That means a different plan from a flat road marathon – especially for intermediate cut-offs, heat and the descent.

Seven races over two days

For the 2027 anniversary there's something new: on Saturday a second half marathon, the "Halbmarathon Reverse", runs almost the same course as Sunday's but in the opposite direction. Finish both half marathons and you get an extra double medal (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, home page). The 2027 programme (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule and 2027 entry fees):

Race Day and start Entry fee (to 31 May / to 5 Aug / late entry)
Ultra (approx. 69.5 km) Sun, 6:00 am €129 / €139 / €150
Hörnerlauf (approx. 18 km, finish at Grasgehren) Sun, 7:00 am €64 / €71 / €80
Marathon (42.2 km) Sun, 8:00 am €79 / €86 / €95
Half marathon (21.1 km) Sun, 9:15 am (target under 2:05 h) and 9:25 am €56 / €64 / €70
Half marathon Reverse (21.1 km) Sat, 3:00 pm €46 / €54 / €60
5K Sat, 3:15 pm –
Kids' run Sat, from 3:00 pm –

Online early registration at the lowest price closes on 31 May 2027 at 23:59, and online registration on 5 August 2027. After that only the pricier on-site late entry is available (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule). The marathon entry includes a pasta party voucher, bag transport from start to finish, entry to the Wonnemar leisure pool for a shower, a massage at the finish and the finisher medal (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, marathon services).

The profile: the mountain comes first

The start is at the Allgäu-Outlet in Sonthofen and the finish at the Wonnemar pool (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, rules and schedule). In between is a course the organiser has refined since 2007. The marathon runs from Sonthofen via Hüttenberg onto the Hörnergruppe, past the Ofterschwanger Horn, Rangiswanger Horn and Weiherkopf peaks. Since 2010 it then continues through the Lochbach valley to Obermaiselstein, including the climb at Herrenberg, and finally back to Sonthofen along the river Iller (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history).

The aid stations show how the day is spread out (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, marathon course):

The organiser does not publish a total elevation figure for the marathon on its course pages. What's clear: most of the climbing comes in the first half, up to Grasgehren. According to the rules, the courses are only partly paved; most of the route is on gravel and natural surfaces. Poles are allowed, but if you start with them you must carry them all the way to the finish (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, rules).

The half marathon is the counterpart: it follows the Iller embankment south towards the Oberstdorf mountains to a turnaround, with a climb to the Schöllang castle on the way back (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history). The organiser describes it as scenic but not too hard.

Cut-offs: plan by the clock, not by the kilometre

At the Allgäu Panorama Marathon an intermediate time matters as much as your finish time. At Grasgehren (around 18 km, approx. 1,110 m of climbing) there's a cut-off: 11:15 am for the marathon and 9:30 am for the ultra. Runners stopped there receive the Hörnerlauf medal (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule/cut-offs).

Do the maths: the marathon starts at 8:00 am, so you have 3 hours 15 minutes for the first 18 km and most of the climbing. That sounds generous, but uphill your walking speed matters more than your running pace – easy to underestimate if you only train on the flat. The marathon finish closes at 3:00 pm, after seven hours (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule).

The ultra has a second threshold: in Oberstdorf, at the Orlen Arena ski-jump stadium at km 49, you can end your race. For that distance with 1,970 m of climbing you receive an Allgäu Panorama Marathon medal. Anyone arriving after 2:30 pm must stop there. The ultra finish closes at 7:00 pm (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule/cut-offs). Mandatory kit for the ultra: a switched-on phone, a survival blanket, a whistle and your own cup or bottle, as there are no cups (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, rules).

If you want the mountains but not a full marathon: the Hörnerlauf is exactly the first stage to Grasgehren, with the finish closing at 10:45 am and a bus back to the Wonnemar (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule and Hörnerlauf services).

August heat is the norm here

The organiser is upfront about it: for 2024 it describes "classic APM weather" of 30 degrees and sunshine, and in 2026 temperatures reached "almost 40°C" (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history). In its thank-you note after 2026 it wrote that the heat had been "a bit fiercer" than usual (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, home page).

What that means for race day: make the most of the early start and take the climb conservatively while it's still cool. The return via Bolsterlang and the Iller embankment falls around midday. Every marathon aid station has water, isotonic drink and fruit, with cola towards the end (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, marathon course). A cap, sunscreen and a drinking strategy you've tested in training are not optional extras here.

From the flatlands to the mountain: how to prepare

From 3 October it's a good 44 weeks to the start. Count back – and think in metres of climbing, not just kilometres:

If you live somewhere flat, use stairs, bridges, slag heaps and car-park ramps. Repetition matters more than the size of the hill. These sessions are easier with a group: you'll find Lauftreffs (group runs) and run clubs in the region on Running in the Allgäu. For a spring tune-up, try a trail event like MOUNTAINMAN Nesselwang, and all other races in the region are listed under running events in the Allgäu.

Records and history

The first Allgäu Panorama Marathon was held in 2007, with 106 marathon finishers and 174 in the half. The ultra was added in 2009 – according to the organiser, the first race in Germany to carry the name "Ultra Trail". The Hörnerlauf followed in 2018 (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history). The 19th edition in 2026 had a record 4,200 registered participants and record finisher numbers on every course (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, home page). The organiser calls it the largest sports event ever held in the Allgäu, with runners from 54 nations and more than 400 volunteers (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history).

The best times on today's marathon course via the Lochbach valley (since 2010) show how different the maths is here: Janosch Kowalczyk set the men's record of 3:07:54 in 2026, and Vanessa Schätzle the women's record of 3:41:48 in 2025. In the ultra, Johannes Klein (6:09:11, 2017) and Hannah Marquard (7:06:47, 2025) top the list (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, all-time best list). Anyone who has taken part ten times or more joins the "Allgäu Legends Club" and gets their own permanent bib number (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, history).

For the year's flat city marathons, see the 2027 marathon calendar. If you'd rather swim, bike and run in the Allgäu, the Allgäu Triathlon is an alternative in the region.

Getting there and parking

The organiser asks runners to use the large free car park at Marktanger (sat-nav: Hofener Straße 1), 800 m from the start. Half marathon runners in particular shouldn't drive towards the start, as spaces there are taken by the earlier races. A free shuttle runs from the Wonnemar back to Marktanger between 11 am and 3 pm; on foot it's 1.4 km (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, parking). Dogs are allowed at the Allgäu Panorama Marathon as long as they don't bother anyone; they start at the back of the field (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, rules).

If you prefer flat and fast, the big city races are in our overview of Germany's biggest marathons.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the Allgäu Panorama Marathon 2027?
On Sunday, 8 August 2027 in Sonthofen. The reverse half marathon, 5K and kids' run take place on Saturday, 7 August (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, home page and schedule).
How much climbing does the Allgäu Panorama Marathon have?
The organiser doesn't give a total for the marathon on its course pages. Up to the Grasgehren station after about 18 km it's approx. 1,110 m, according to the organiser. The ultra has already climbed 1,970 m by the Oberstdorf exit at km 49 (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule/cut-offs).
How much does the Allgäu Panorama Marathon 2027 cost?
The marathon costs €79 until 31 May 2027, €86 until 5 August and €95 for late entry. The half marathon costs €56 / €64 / €70 and the ultra €129 / €139 / €150 (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, 2027 entry fees).
What are the cut-offs at the Allgäu Panorama Marathon?
At Grasgehren (approx. 18 km): 11:15 am for the marathon and 9:30 am for the ultra. Ultra runners reaching Oberstdorf after 2:30 pm must stop there. The finish closes at 3:00 pm for the marathon and 7:00 pm for the ultra (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, schedule/cut-offs).
Can I use poles at the Allgäu Panorama Marathon?
Yes. If you start with poles you must carry them to the finish; picking them up along the way is not allowed (source: allgaeu-panorama-marathon.de, rules).

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