September 19, 2025

Germany Ultra Marathon 2024

Retracing a YouTube tour from 2014, Kim Gottwald covered 1,160 km on foot through Germany, facing weather, injuries, and endurance

After completing his Euro 2024 Ultra Marathon, Kim Gottwald began planning a new project for October: the Germany Ultra Marathon. The idea was inspired by a special occasion. Kim wanted to retrace the “Longboard Tour,” a 2014 YouTube project by some of the platform’s biggest creators, exactly ten years later.

The route ran the length of Germany – from the northern tip of Sylt to Neuschwanstein Castle in the south. Unlike the original, which was completed on longboards, he covered the entire distance on foot. His path mainly went along eastern Germany. Passing through cities such as Kiel, Hamburg, Leipzig, Nuremberg, and Augsburg.

By the third day, he was already struggling with injuries. Further strong winds and persistent rain in the north, made progress difficult. Despite numerous obstacles, he continued. Covering endless stretches of country roads and a variety of landscapes. On average, he ran over 63 kilometres per day. A camper van served as his support vehicle, providing a place to sleep and recover.

After 18 days and a total of 1,160 kilometres, Kim reached Neuschwanstein Castle – tired but relieved. While the project did not attract as much public attention as some of his earlier undertakings, it represented a significant physical and mental challenge for him personally.