The three- or four-day event was held in summer months, varying from late June to early September, and the venue changed on an annual basis.

[1] Following the division of Germany as part of the end of World War II, the organising body of the all-Germany championships, German Athletics Association, remained based in West Germany.

As a result, a new national competition and sports body was created in East Germany, starting from 1948.

The women's distance races were gradually added, with the 1500 m included in 1967, the 3000 m in 1976, the marathon in 1982, and finally the 10,000 m in 1985.

Steeplechase, pole vault, triple jump, hammer throw and the 50 km walk remained the preserve of men only over the championships' lifetime.