Getting Tough - The Race vs. Toughest: Distanz, Stationen, Preis & Schwierigkeit im Vergleich (2026-27)

Getting Tough - The Race is a German extreme obstacle race brand that has run since 2011, organised by GETTINGTOUGH GmbH. It became known for its winter race in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, a 24 km course with around 900 m of climbing and obstacle parcours where failing an obstacle leads to disqualification.

The current event is Getting Tough 5Elements in Oberhof, Thuringia, held in late June in the Thuringian Forest winter-sports town. Adults choose a 9 km run or a 17 km run, or combine both as the 5Elements eXtreme ticket (9 km + 17 km); there is also a 'Legend of Speed' format. The YOKI AHORN Kidsrun offers 2 km and 5 km courses for children aged 6 to 16. The event is aimed at runners who want a demanding obstacle course with real elevation, while the 9 km option is the more accessible entry point.

Toughest is an obstacle course race series held in Sweden and Norway. The organisers report more than 220,000 runners since 2013, and the race has repeatedly been voted the best obstacle course race in Europe in runner polls.

Each event weekend offers several formats. The Main Race covers about 8 km with the full set of obstacles, and Double Distance is two laps of that course, about 16 km. Xplore is a 4 km version with the hardest obstacles removed and no timing, aimed at first-timers, and Toughest Family is a 2 km course for children and adults together. An Elite class runs the 8 km course for competitive athletes, with the Toughest Tour and OCR World Championship qualification. Courses mix grass, sand, gravel, mud and water, with signature obstacles such as the Ramp and the Holmenkollen. Current venues are Gothenburg, Malmö, Stockholm, Oslo and Sälen. Every finisher receives a medal.