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, held on June 28, 2025, was everything but ordinary — and confirmed once again that Oberhof is the place for next-level obstacle racing in Germany.
Two Courses, One Goal: Push the Limits
- 9 km Standard Course
- 17 km Long Course
Both routes lead across the most iconic winter sports venues in Oberhof, including the LOTTO Thüringen Bikepark, the Kanzlersgrund ski jumps, and the DKB ski arena. Runners face brutal elevation changes and a mix of mud, ice-cold water, fire, 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
17 km Long Distance Champions
- Men: Martin Wehner (Dresden) finished in an outstanding 1:34:16, ahead of Dominik Nahr and 2024 winner Michael Dünkel (Suhl).
- Women: Anna-Maria Vogel (Jena) clocked in at 1:59:38, the only female athlete under the two-hour mark. Runners-up were Franziska Berger (Augsburg) and Magdalena Schubert (Arnstein)
9 km Standard Distance
- Men: Tim Waldstädt (Rhein-Wied) won with a time of 1:09:32.
- Women: Uta Tittelbach-Helmrich (Alkersleben) took first with 1:25:15.
eXtreme Category
This year’s first-ever weighted division saw additional challenges under the blazing sun:
- Men: Benjamin Bauer-König (Ernst) triumphed in 2:01:14.
- Women: Annika Wohlfahrt (Magstadt) crossed the finish line in 2:35:15.
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.
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!
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!