| What? | Lousberglauf |
| When? | July 1, 2026, 7 pm |
| Where? | Rütscher Straße at Lousberg Aachen |
| Cost |
Informations will be published in summer semester 2026 |
| Premiumpartner |
|---|
STAWAG |
Are you interested in becoming part of the team? Those who register and support as helpers will receive early access to registration for the Lousberglauf next year.
The Lousberglauf on the legendary Teufelsberg is the cult run in Aachen. Even though it's only 5,555 meters long, it packs a punch. It's special topography is a challenge even for experienced runners. The unique mix of hobby and professional runners is the charm that attracts the spectators and participants.
The Lousberglauf has been a tradition for over three decades and is one of the most well-known sports events in Aachen aside from CHIO. Whether you're a professional or hobby runner, whether you wear athletic clothing or a costume, everyone is welcome to participate. The runners, who manage to get one of the highly coveted bibs, all have the same goal: to scale the 5,555 meter circuit of the Teufelsberg.
The track can be viewed very well as a PDF via the download. If you want to know exactly where to go, the GPX track is available for download. Or you can look directly at Komoot and let yourself be guided for the first training runs.
Every year it's a greatly anticipated free for all who will cross the finish line as champion. The course profile packs a punch. Almost half of the course is consistently uphill. Athletes must distribute their strength accordingly in order to make it to the finish line. Weeks before the race the Teufelsberg is covered with runners training. The Lousberglauf is a true challenge, even for experienced runners.
The event is underscored by an entertaining stage program. Aside from live music and performances there are interviews with experts from the University Hospital and the local running scene, who give important tips all about running. Integration is characteristic to the Lousberglauf. The event brings together RWTH and FH students and residents of Aachen – the Lousberglauf connects.
| Partner | awobject(4) awobject(6) |
|---|---|
SMS Group |
The Lousberg is located on the northern edge of the City of Aachen. The race begins in front of the residential towers or student dormitories of Student Services at Rütscher Straße 175. Please note that the streets around the race area will be blocked off during certain times the day of the event. There is no parking available directly on site. You can find more information on the section Briefly Informed.
The starting numbers will be distributed the day before the event and on the event day between 3:30 PM and 6 PM. The distribution of starting numbers will take place at the Otto-Petersen-Haus, Rütscher Straße 155.
Individual participants and teams with fewer than ten people must pick up their starting numbers individually. For teams with more than ten people, the starting numbers will only be issued to the team leader. Please bring your registration confirmation for picking up the starting number!
Starting from 6 PM, no more starting numbers will be issued! We kindly ask everyone to arrive on time; otherwise, there is a risk of losing the starting number and eligibility to participate.
Cancellations or changes are not possible.
Unlike the other University Sports offers, there is no additional insurance coverage when participating in this event. We strongly recommend acquiring your own insurance protection.
The RWTH Aachen University Sports Center reserves the right to take photographs and make film recordings during the event for its own publicity and information purposes. By signing up for or purchasing admission to the event, participants agree to this use. Due to administrative reasons, those who object to this must raise their objection with the University Sports Center by email within one week of the end of the event.
| Cooperation partner | awobject(4) awobject(6) |
|---|---|
STAWAG |
There is no parking at the start, finish, or along the race route. For security purposes, there is a temporary no-waiting-zone, which will also be signposted. Vehicles that violate the restriction will be towed at the owners' costs.
Race results can be viewed immediately after the run at the info booth. They are also published under Race Results the day after the event. Should any mix-ups or errors occur with the race results, you can raise an objection with the HSZ until Sunday.
Unfortunately, there are no changing rooms or showers available on the race grounds.
Visitors are asked not to park their bikes in the finish area but rather in a special bike parking lot at Theodore-von-Kármán-Haus, Rütscher Straße 121. We ask that you do not lock your bike to the barriers during or after the event. These will be taken down and removed directly after the event.
We ask all runners to start on their assigned starting field and to be considerate towards others during the race.
This year, there will once again be a costume contest. Show off your most creative costumes and win the FuFah Trophy and other prizes. All participants of the Lousberglauf – whether individually or as a team – are welcome to join. Simply get your picture taken at the bib pickup, the info booth, or somewhere on the event grounds and be part of it!
It is not possible to register on the day of the event. Participants are also not allowed to change their registration on the day of the event.
Participants' net time is measured. Individual time keeping begins once a participant crosses the starting line.
Address labels will be available at the starting number distribution. Here, you can write a contact name and a phone number for emergencies. Please attach the label to the back of your starting number using the provided safety pins.
The race winners would enjoy it if you stayed after the run at the stage during the award ceremony. Once the last runners have crossed the finish line, certificates will be handed out to everyone who crossed the finish line between 8:30 and 10pm in the foyer of Otto-Petersen-Haus. It is possible to pick up all the certificates for a team together. You can download your certificate online.
By registering, every participant confirms that they are in good athletic health. The University Sports Center does not conduct medical checks.
We recommend all participants actively train.
You are not allowed to give your bib to someone else. Only the registered individual is eligible to participate. Ineligible participants will be disqualified.
With the first starting signal all runners from starting field 1 start. Afterwards, all starting runners from the second starting field move up. A second starting signal follows.
The distribution of starting numbers will take place at the Otto-Petersen-Haus, Rütscher Straße 155. Individual participants and teams with fewer than ten people must pick up their starting numbers individually. For teams with more than ten people, the starting numbers will only be issued to the team leader.
Cancellations and rebooking are not possible!
Bags can be left at the bag drop on the ASEAG bus. The bag drop will be manned from 4 to 9pm at the latest.
The event is organized by the RWTH Aachen University Sports Center in collaboration with the students in the Rütscher Straße dormitories.
Visitor at Lousberglauf
Visitor at Lousberglauf
Runners start running
Fans at the side of the road
Runner sprinting
Two women hugging
Runners on the stage
What began as a student initiative in 80s with 30 sports enthusiasts has long since become a large cult event. The Lousberglauf has been organized for over 25 years by the RWTH University Sports Center, the Sports Department, and the residents of the Rütscher Straße student dormitories – a concept that has proven the test of time. Around 200 vounteers make it possible to hold this event professionally and smoothly.
Aachen and the devil share a long history. The citizen of Aachen have always felt superior to the devil and have even been able to trick him a few times. Thus, the origin of the Lousberg can also be traced back to one of these stories. Livid that the citizens of Aachen had tricked him during the construction of the cathedral, the devil forged a new plan. He dug up sand from the North Sea underwhich he wished to bury Aachen. At today's Soers, however, he took a rest, in order to recover from the strain of carrying the immense weight of the bags of sand.
There, he encountered an old lady who had just come from the Aachen market. Exhausted, he asked herhow far it was to Aachen. However, the old lady recognized the devil and told him that her shoes, which she had supposedly just bought there, were already worn out. Disheartened, the devil threw the bags aside and abandoned his plan of burying the city of Aachen under the sand. The sand piled up and became the Lousberg and Salvatorberg. The citizens of Aachen had again managed to outwit the devil.
The beast, which resembles a large calf with sharp teeth and scaly fur is said to live in the sewer near the Bücher thermal baths and scare drunken men at night. Additionally, it is said to have demanded that the drunk men carry it on their shoulders, making it harder for them to get home. If the men begged or prayed, then the Bahkauv would become heavier. If they swore or grumbled, it became lighter. Women and children were spared from the Bahkauv. It is said, that Pippin the Younger, Charlemagne's father, fought the Bahkauv and defeated it one morning, stabbing and killing it in front of a steaming spring.