Getting Tough Oberhof — The race was tough, but these athletes were tougher! On Saturday, 28th June 2025 in Oberhof, we cheered on at Getting Tough – 5 Elements, and our talented photographer Matti Wirthwein captured every raw emotion!
Over 1,000 participants. More than 60 obstacles. Up to 650 meters of elevation gain. A sun-drenched day in the heart of the Thuringian Forest. The sixth edition of Getting Tough 5 Elements in Oberhof was everything but ordinary — and confirmed once again that Oberhof is the place for next-level obstacle racing in Germany.
Getting Tough brings together a supportive crowd. Families join the Kids Run. Teams push each other on tough obstacles. There is food, music, and camaraderie at the finish area. Everyone feels like a winner!
Different Courses, One Goal: Push the Limits
- 9 km Standard Course: challenged both endurance and strength.
- 17 km Long Course: elite runners overcame mud pits, climbs, and steep trails.
- 5 Elements eXtreme: athletes supercharged with extra weight.
- 2 km or 5 km Kids Run: inspiring performances from young athletes aged 6–15.
Both, the 9 km and the 17 km, routes lead across the most iconic winter sports venues in Oberhof, including the LOTTO Thüringen Bikepark, the Kanzlersgrund ski jumps, and the ski arena. Runners faced brutal elevation changes and a mix of mud, water, heat, and strength obstacles — a unique tribute to the classical five elements.
But the 2025 edition added something new: the eXtreme category, with weighted vests — 8 kg for women, 12 kg for men — making the already brutal course even tougher.
The Winners: Strength, Speed, and Strategy
17km – eXtreme Run
🥇 Annika Wohlfahrt / Benjamin Bauer-König
🥈 Lara-Marie Schreiner / Björn Pölzing
🥉 Antje Langer / Robert Reichert
17km – Long Run
🥇 Franziska Berger / Martin Wehner
🥈 Magdalena Schubert / Michael Dünkel
🥉 Martina Schuster / Alexander Beer
9km – Standard Run
🥇 Uta Tittelbach-Helmrich / Tim Waldstädt
🥈 Sandra Waldstädt / Daniel Weithe
🥉 Katarzyna Garbinska
🥉 Tobias Meusel & Alexander Sattler
Teams Run
🥇 geborgenschlafen Biobetten aus Jena
🥈 Waffeln & Eis
🥉 HeideNudderer & OCR Dresden
Kids Run
Kids all received a certificate. You can view the full list of participants here >>>
Friday Night Fever: The Legend of Speed
The racing kicked off on Friday evening with a brand-new event:
“Legend of Speed” — a sprint challenge to run uphill on the 1,354.5-meter bobsleigh track in the LOTTO Thüringen EISARENA.
- Men’s Champion: Johannes Gerlof (Rennsteiglaufverein), 5:19 min
- Women’s Champion: Lisa Lohmann (cross-country skiing), 6:21 min
This race lit up social media, as spectators cheered runners on a track normally used to race downhill.
Why Oberhof?
Oberhof is no stranger to elite sports. The town is home to world-class winter sport facilities, dramatic forest trails, and a community that knows how to host a great event. It’s the only race in the world that integrates five high-performance arenas into a single obstacle course — and that’s what makes Getting Tough 5 Elements truly unique.
Getting Tough 5 Elements is more than just a race. It’s a community celebration, a physical test, and a spectacular stage for stories of perseverance, teamwork, and personal triumph.
What’s Next?
The seventh edition of Getting Tough 5 Elements will return on June 26–27, 2026 — and the team promises even tougher surprises in store.
Stay tuned for registration dates, course teasers, and gear previews. And if you’ve never been, mark your calendar now. Whether you’re running, cheering, or just soaking in the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere — Oberhof in June is not to be missed.
Want More?
Follow @gettingtough on Instagram for highlights, and check out @cool.suhl for a community take on the weekend’s best moments. Until next time — train hard, race harder, and stay cool! Photos: @mattishoots