The German Ultramarathon Association e. V. ( DUV ) is an interest group with association structures. It sees itself as a specialist organization for ultramarathon runners in Germany. The statutory objective is to go beyond the marathon distance running, cross-country or Ultra Ultra Marathon called to promote, maintain and develop.
Ultratrail (formerly known as cross and landscape running) since 2001
On February 16, 2018, the Association Council of the German Athletics Association decided on some changes in the DLV regulations at its meeting in Bochum. As of January 1, 2019, due to the inclusion of ultra-running distances in the men's / women's competition program, the 50-kilometer run, the 6-hour run and the 24-hour run are DLV championship disciplines, with the German championships being organized by the DUV , when applying the rules of the DLV.
History, goals, successes
The German Ultramarathon Association (DUV) was founded on December 29, 1985 in Rodenbach (near Hanau) by 22 founding members. By 1987 the DUV grew to 100 members, in 1995 it reached the 1000 mark and in 2002 it had around 1500 members. In April 2017, the DUV had over 1,600 members, making it the world's largest organization for ultra-marathon runners. Foreign athletes have also joined the DUV over the years because of the special services it offers.
When the DUV was founded, ultra-marathons were considered a dubious fringe sporting phenomenon of a small minority of outsiders who should not be taken seriously, who were ridiculed in the sports public and by sports officials and often ridiculed as 'weirdos'. The aim of the DUV was to help ultra-cross-country skiing to be recognized as an independent running discipline. This served the primary effort to organize official German 100 km championships and to keep corresponding leaderboards. In the course of further development, distances other than ultramarathon championships of the DUV were also included. On this basis, the German national ultramarathon teams of the German Athletics Association (DLV) were able to establish themselves in the world and European leaders right from the start, as the IAU 100 km World Cup under the patronage of the World Athletics Association (IAAF) in 1988 and in 1992 the IAU 100 km European Championships and the IAU 24 Hours European Challenge were introduced under the patronage of the European Athletics Federation (EAA) .
The successes of the DUV are:
Initiation of the German championships in the 100 km road race of the DLV in 1987, since 1990 with official senior championships.
Initiation of the creation of official DLV leaderboards in the 100 km road race.
Introduction and annual implementation of the "German Championships of the DUV" in the 24-hour run, 6-hour run, 50 km road run and ultra trail.
Elaboration of guidelines for the implementation of these championships as well as for the keeping of DUV best and record lists.
Annual performance of a DUV-CUP over different distances.
Establishment of funding bases with the aim of strengthening the ultra-running presence in the regions
4 times a year publication of the official DUV organ, the trade journal "ULTRA-MARATHON" with reports and articles from the ultramarathon scene, with appointment lists and ultramarathon results service.
Anchoring the position of the ultramarathon advisor at the German Athletics Association on the board of the DUV.
