General Information about the Trans-Thüringia 2020
Winterworld, snow-covered woods, silence....suddenly a sled dog team appears silently and disappears again around the next bend. You did not see this up in the high North or even in Canada - but in the middle of Thüringen, Germany.
Along the Rennsteig the longest sled dog-race using only purebred dogs, the Trans-Thüringia takes place. Teams from all regions of Germany and the whole European continent take part.
Around 500 sled dogs and their mushers travel nearly 130 kilometres during 4 runs.
There are the big, friendly and strong Malamutes from North America, the impatient and hard-working Greenland dogs, which are still working-dogs at their home in Greenland, the white, whirlwind like Samojeden, bred by the Samojede tribe from the Ural and last but not least the well known and beloved Siberian Huskies originating from eastern Siberia.
The race has different classes, depending on the number of dogs. During the whole race vets are caring for the dogs. Only healthy, well-trained and purebred dogs are allowed to start.
The opening will be celebrated on Thursday the 6th of February 2020 at 16.30 at the Stake-out Terrain in Neustadt am Rennsteig. Here you can get to know the participants and their dogs.
On Friday the 7th of February the Mushers will begin with 2 races each of approximately 25km. At 9 ‘o clock in Neustadt the first of four stages will begin. In the afternoon at 5’oclock the second run (evening run) will restart. With the 2nd run the Mushers and their teams can be seen coming back with only headlights as dusk sets in. A particularily special experience!
On Saturday the 3rd of February 2020 at 10 ‘o clock the teams will start their 3rd run of approximately 50km.
On Sunday the 9th of February 2020 the fourth and final run of approximately 30km will begin. The spectators can look forward to an exciting finish and to the times with which the teams return to Neustadt am Rennsteig.
On the same day at approximately 17.00 the presentation ceremony will take place at the Stake-out Terrain in Neustadt at Rennsteig.
The organiser have only one urgent request:
Visitors should not bring their own dogs close to the Trail. Although sled dogs are nice and gentle with humans, they don’t accept strange dogs around.
All questions about this event and your holidays in Thüringen will be answered by the friendly staff of the tourist offices in Neustadt a.R. and Masserberg.
Information about the Trans-Thüringia can be found in the local press or the internet: www.trans-thueringia.de
*dates of races could be changed depending on snow / weather