#3 The five wackiest runs nobody knows about!

If you are a regular runner, sooner or later you will find yourself looking for a good competition. If you're not in the mood for the typical major races or UTMB events, you can be inspired by our research into the most bizarre running events in the world. The world of racing is full of odd and weird races that you've probably never heard of.

The Otter African Trail Run

THE OTTER is a legendary trail run along the coast of South Africa. Runners who start here can enjoy the view across the Indian Ocean for almost the entire marathon distance. On top of this, there are a total of four river crossings, which will ensure that your shoes get really wet. There are 2,400 metres of positive elevation gain over the 42 km, spread over 11 climbs. THE OTTER always takes place at the beginning of October and is therefore the ideal way to round off a brilliant trail season. The OTTER is definitely on our bucket list.
More information: https://otter.run/

Man versus Horse

In fact, there are several races of this kind that take place each year in the UK. Of course, where else? After all, the British are known for their love of horse races. So the idea of organising a competition in which equestrians compete against pedestrians is an easy one.
One of these races is the Man versus Horse. Here, horse riders and runners compete against each other over a distance of 23 miles. This charity race always takes place in September and the route leads through the landscape of the Quantock Hills - with a few metres of elevation gain.
More information: https://manvhorse.com/


If 23 miles isn't quite enough for you, you can compete in the Whole Earth Man v Horse over the marathon distance in June. This race has been taking place since 1980 and there is even prize money for the winners. Florian Holzinger from Chiemgau has already won this race few years ago. So it's time to saddle up! 
More information: https://www.green-events.co.uk/index.php?mvh_main

Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake

After the horses there is the race against cheese. Right. We are still in the UK, where people like their races to be whimsical. This cheese race is another extremely traditional running event in England. It has been taking place in Gloucester since 1800. The reason for this is because it involves Gloucester cheese, which is produced in this region.
The Cheese Rolling is a pure downhill race in which each spring countless people chase a cheese rolling down a steep hill. The cheese rolls off with a one-second lead over the runners and of course steadily increases its speed. On its way down, the cheese will reach speeds of up to 112 km/h. The aim is to be the first to cross the finish line. You can do it.

Go to the registration here: https://radseason.com/event/cheese-rolling-coopers-hill-gloucester-united-kingdom/

Schafberglauf

Well, it seems to be a popular thing to compete against non-human creatures and things. Here, it's neither a horse nor a cheese that needs to be beaten, but the starting field competes against a mountain train. Whoever gets to the top of the Schafbergspitze first wins. This race is also a real classic and has been organised annually since 1983. Corona has unfortunately affected this event - like so many others. It has now been brought back to life as the Schafbergtrail - but now you are no longer running parallel to the railway line, but uphill along the trails. By the way, the Schafberglauf was dominated by Andrea Mayr for many years. She has won a total of five times - in 2019 she even took the overall victory in 45:12 minutes. Chapeau, Andrea!

Go to the registration here: https://www.schafbergtrail.at/

Mitternachtslauf Kröv

Okay, we have to admit that the Kröv Midnight Run is not a race that should be mentioned because of its profile or distance from our point of view. In the end, it's a 9km fun run. So why do we think the Kröver Midnight Run is so good? Well, for one thing, it starts at 22:00. You don't think that's so great either? Okay, we don't either. But we recommend you sign up and, most importantly, that you win. Because the winners will be weighed out in wine. Yes, you read that right. They will be weighed out with bottles of wine of the Kröver Nacktarsch variety. So you may end up like Andreas Keil-Forneck, who went home with 77 bottles of this exquisite wine this year. Cheers!
Go to the registration here: https://www.mitternachtslauf-kroev.de/

#3 The five wackiest runs nobody knows about!