The event attracts several thousand participants, e.g. in 2001 there were 3,500[2] and, in 2004, 3,110 runners finished, including 695 men and 73 women in the marathon.
The race has been described as "one of the most beautiful nature runs" taking place as it does through the "picturesque scenery" of the Harz National Park.
[6] The marathon run follows a circular route during which the highest mountain in the Harz, the Brocken (1,141 m), has to be climbed.
In 1961, the Brocken fell within the restricted area of the Inner German Border between the GDR and FRG and was therefore not allowed to be crossed.
There has been a compromise with the National Park Administration since 1993, according to which a maximum of 1,000 runners may cross the Brocken plateau in the course of the 42,195 km long marathon which climbs through over 1,200 metres in height.