Florian Grasel and Mathias Deutschbauer share an Austrian 1st place
From 24 to 27 July 2025, the Grossglockner ULTRA-TRAIL (GGUT) celebrated its 10th anniversary in truly wild fashion – once again proving why it is considered one of the toughest trail running events in the Alps. Austrian athletes Mathias Deutschbauer and Florian Grasel triumphed simultaneously in one of the most challenging editions of the GGUT to date. In addition, a new chapter began: going forward, Zell am See-Kaprun will take over as the event’s new organiser.
Over the past ten years, some 15,000 runners have been safely guided along the spectacular routes of the Hohe Tauern during the Grossglockner ULTRA-TRAIL. Safety was also a top priority this year: rain and cold weather made for difficult conditions right from the start of the 110 km, 84 km and 57 km races. Despite the route being adapted to improve safety, storm gusts, sleet and freezing temperatures forced the race organisers to call off the event on Saturday. For many of the roughly 1,500 participants, the adventure ended in exhaustion and hypothermia. Only eight runners managed to reach the GGUT finish line – all others had to be withdrawn from the race for safety reasons. The 57 km (GGT) and 84 km (OTT) races had to be abandoned without official rankings. However, the GWT race over 37 km was successfully held on Friday, with local hero Hans-Peter Innerhofer from Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Norway’s Mari Wetterhus emerging as winners.
A SHARED TRIUMPH: GRASEL AND DEUTSCHBAUER TIE FOR FIRST PLACE
After winning in 2016 and 2019, “Mr GGUT” Florian Grasel claimed his third victory in Kaprun – this time crossing the finish line in 13:54:38.2 hours alongside Mathias Deutschbauer in a joint first place. Both athletes agreed that the decision to cancel the rest of the race was the right one. Each had suffered falls, and their choice to run and finish together was also made with safety in mind, as Deutschbauer emphasised. “Achieving first place here has been a major goal of mine – two years ago I finished second, and I was determined to succeed this time,” said the Upper Austrian. “These were perhaps the most difficult conditions I’ve ever experienced at the GGUT,” added Grasel. A surprise third-place finisher was Hannes Pörnbacher from Olang, South Tyrol (Italy).
A NEW CHAPTER AT THE FOOT OF THE GROSSGLOCKNER
Over the past decade, the Grossglockner ULTRA-TRAIL has developed into one of the most important trail running events in the German-speaking world. It has been shaped in particular by founder Hubert Resch, who has now passed the torch to new hands. From the 11th edition, taking place from 23 to 26 July 2026, Zell am See-Kaprun will take over the organisation of the GGUT. In collaboration with long-standing partners and SALTY Trailrunning, the event will be steered professionally into the future.
Manuel Resch, CEO Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus: „We would like to thank Hubert Resch and his team for ten years of dedication and passionate development. The successful handover of the Grossglockner ULTRA-TRAIL to Zell am See-Kaprun marks a milestone for the future. The GGUT impressively demonstrates the potential of this event – and we look forward to opening a new chapter together with our partners!“
More information about the event: https://www.ultratrail.at/english/
Click here for the complete press release as pdf.
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Press contact for further information t.eder@zellamsee-kaprun.com
