Austria · Tyrol
Distance
101 km
Date
Entry fee
€215
€ / km
€2.13
Mayrhofen Ultraks Z101: The 101km Race That Ends With Europe's 3rd Biggest Descent
Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal Z101 is a 101 km trail race held in September in Tyrol, Austria. The course gains 7,600 m over 101 km (75.2 m/km), starting Friday at 5:00 pm from Mayrhofen and running overnight through the Zillertal and Tux Alps. Entry costs €215 (from January 1, 2026), equivalent to €2.13 per kilometre. The 2026 edition is sold out with no waiting list offered.
The race's final descent drops 2,134 m back to Mayrhofen — the 3rd largest single descent of 386 European trail distances in the DTR database. At 75.2 m per kilometre, Z101 is the 33rd most elevation-dense of 389 European distances with GPS data. Maximum field size is exactly 101 runners — one of the smallest caps on any 100 km race in Europe. The course is not additionally marked; runners navigate by GPS on signposted hiking trails. Nearest airport is Innsbruck (INN), 65 minutes by car.
Founded in 2019 and now in its seventh edition, Z101 carries 5 ITRA points — the maximum. Historical finish rates have been below 50%; the 2025 edition was cancelled mid-race due to snow at 2,000 m+. It suits elite-experienced trail runners seeking a technically demanding, low-numbers alpine challenge with genuine attrition risk.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
7,600m
D+/KM
75.2m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-17.5%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 8.7 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 10.9 km | |
| 10–15% | 8.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 7.0 km | |
| 20%+ | 13.4 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 45.9% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 13.7% | Flat |
| 40.4% | Downhill |
Terrain
Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal – 101 km 101km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 9.7 km · 1,465 m gain starts km 21 · avg 15.1% · max 95.8% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 6.4 km · 1,296 m gain starts km 52 · avg 20.4% · max 55.6% |
| 3 | 8.6 km · 1,265 m gain starts km 3 · avg 14.7% · max 34.9% |
Top descents
| 1 | 10.7 km · 2,134 m drop starts km 95 · avg -20.0% · max -159.6% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4.6 km · 1,113 m drop starts km 59 · avg -24.4% · max -91.4% |
| 3 | 3.5 km · 1,027 m drop starts km 69 · avg -29.0% · max -60.6% |
How hard is the Z101 101km? (Climbs, descents, and GPX data breakdown)
How hard is the Mayrhofen Ultraks Z101?
▼
Extremely hard. The Z101 covers 101km with 7,600m of elevation gain (75.2m per km). The final descent drops 2,134m back to Mayrhofen — the 3rd largest single descent of 386 European trail distances tracked. Historical finish rates have been below 50%. The 2025 edition was cancelled mid-race at roughly km 35–40 due to snow. The course requires GPS self-navigation with no additional trail markings, adding significant pressure at night and above 3,000m.
Self-Navigation: What Running the Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal 101km at Night Is Like
What does self-navigation mean for the Z101?
▼
The Z101 route runs on signposted hiking trails but is not additionally marked for the race. Runners must navigate independently using GPS and a downloaded GPX file — at night, over block fields, and above 3,000m. A mandatory race briefing on Thursday evening covers navigation specifics. Rescue insurance with Austrian coverage and a GPS tracker (provided by the organiser) are both compulsory.
Sold Out with a 101-Runner Cap: The Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal Z101 101km Entry Requirements
Is the Z101 sold out for 2026?
▼
Yes. The 2026 Z101 sold out with no waiting list offered. Maximum field size is exactly 101 runners — matching the race name — making it one of the smallest-cap 100km races in Europe. Entry requires proof of a completed ultra of at least 80km in the last three years. Check mayrhofen.ultraks.com for future edition registration windows.
Mid-Race Cancellation: What Happened at the 2025 Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal 101km and Why
What happened at the 2025 Z101?
▼
The 2025 edition was cancelled mid-race at the Friesenberghaus hut (approximately km 35–40) due to deteriorating snow and weather conditions. The Schönbichler Horn summit (3,123m) had already been rerouted before the start due to snow. The race was delayed one hour due to torrential rain at the start. Mountain rescue coordination was efficient; all runners descended safely. Weather cancellation risk is real at this altitude in early September — the mandatory cold weather kit requirement reflects it.
Qualifying Race, Mandatory Briefing, and Austrian Rescue Insurance: Z101 Entry Rules
How do you qualify for the Mayrhofen Ultraks Z101?
▼
Entry requires proof of a completed ultra of at least 80km in the last three years. Mandatory attendance at a race briefing on Thursday evening before the start is also required. Runners must carry rescue insurance with Austrian coverage and a GPS tracker (provided by the organiser). Recommended mandatory gear includes a waterproof jacket, headlamp with spare batteries, rescue blanket (≥1.4m × 2m), first aid kit, and cold weather layers including spikes if conditions require.
Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal – 101 km 101km GPX
Getting to Mayrhofen Ultraks Zillertal – 101 km
Nearest airport
Innsbruck (INN) / Munich (MUC)
Notes
Start: INN ~1 hr; MUC ~2–2.5 hrs / Public transport: Good (train into Zillertal + local) / Accommodation: Good but fills early (popular valley)
