Three days of trail running, community, and memories to last a lifetime
The Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail powered by Ledlenser by UTMB once again showed in 2026 why it is one of Europe's most important trail running events. Almost 5,000 runners from 49 nations came to Garmisch-Partenkirchen to push their limits around Germany's highest mountain. Heat, thunderstorms, and route adjustments made the weekend a real challenge - and at the same time an unforgettable experience.
Words: Lukas Motschmann
Photos: Florian Kurrasch
From Salomon's perspective, there were numerous highlights on and off the course.
In the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Trail, Dominik Hohenleitner dominated the race and confidently took the win. Pierre-Emmanuel Alexandre finished directly behind him in second place. However, Silvia Schwaiger delivered perhaps the most impressive performance of the entire weekend: The Salomon athlete not only won the women's category but also finished third overall, leaving almost the entire male field behind her.
The Salomon team also delivered strong performances on the 74-kilometer ultratrail distance. Lisa Wimmer impressed with a strong race and fought her way through the demanding conditions to finish in 2nd place. Timon Günther also caused a stir with P7 in the ZUT 100, and Noah Vilmes (@einenschrittweiter) achieved an outstanding 16th place on the ultratrail route.
Not everything went as hoped for everyone this weekend. Daniel Hernes (@Danny_Run), Eva Maria Sperger, and Nicole "Nolle" Kessler had to end their races prematurely due to injury. All the more important: everyone is now well again and will soon be back on the trails.
Away from the races, it once again became clear what makes the ZUT so special: the community. Together with the NOMADS, the ZEGAPA Cheering Zone became one of the most emotional places of the entire weekend. For hours, people cheered, celebrated, laughed, and suffered. For many athletes, the support there was exactly the energy boost they needed on the long kilometers.
The special atmosphere of the weekend was also palpable in the Salomon Clubhouse at Wildkaffee. Social runs, coffee raves, conversations with athletes, and countless encounters once again made the ZUT much more than just a race. It was a festival of the trail running community.
At the same time, this weekend was also a farewell. After many years together, this was for now the last edition of the Zugspitz Ultratrail as a partner of Salomon. A partnership that shaped the ZUT for years. A partnership that witnessed how a race became a festival. How the community grew, became more diverse, and showed year after year what trail running is all about.
Even though this chapter is now ending, the memories remain. In the pictures. In the stories. In the friendships. And in all the moments that arose somewhere between summits, aid stations, cheering zones, and finish lines. Thank you, ZUT. Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey.
