This was on my list since 2020, with the idea to run in fall to use the many water sources and go unsupported. However, most springs in the Harz are not that reliable, so I startet with a 1.5l bladder of water and 4 flasks with iso, as I was sure I can use the Pastorquelle around km 66 to fill up. All the drinks and the food (6 gels, 2 powerbar gums, 2 clif bloks, 500g of different Haribos) made the pack quite heavy (~6kg) from the start. I used the train from Leipzig, but due to construction works I had to start 3:45 and still only managed to be at the starting point at 8:30. The first climb went faster than expected with the heavy pack and the first 30km flew by quickly. I wasted 2 minutes trying to get some water out of the Silberquelle (km 25), but it was nearly dry. So I went on heading to the highest point (Brocken) and just stopped to change the flasks back to front on the way up. Managed to reach the highest point shortly after the 4 hour mark and started the long downhill section. Legs got pretty tired, but the pace was good, so I pushed a bit more. After refilling 1.5l of water at Pastorquelle (km 66) the rougher part was still to be done. Between Neuwerk and Wendefurth lots of trees are blocking the path, and climbing was not getting better after more than 70km. After that, there was again a nice, runnable part til Treseburg, were the rocky finale started. These 7 km down the Bodetal included a lot of short and nasty climbs and it was necessary to mind every step to not fall and crush down so close to the end. I was really happy to finally see the Teufelsbrücke and to get to the last 2, non-technical km down to the end point of the route. There even was enough time left to get beer&pizza before my train left.
German version to follow....