It was a spontaneous decision. That morning, I came across a charity run via social media. The idea of doing a few laps on a flat course after work sounded quite appealing.
So I quickly decided to take part. During my lunch break, I went home to grab my running gear so I could change at the office later and head straight to the event location without any detours.
A Unique Running Concept
The charity run organized by PSV was deliberately designed without any official timekeeping. The goal was to complete as many laps as possible on a roughly one-kilometer course within 1 hour and 30 minutes. For each lap, sponsors donated a fixed amount to a local children’s home. It was a wonderful combination of physical activity and social engagement. The atmosphere was relaxed, motivating, and friendly from the very beginning – the perfect format for a meaningful after-work run.
Prominent Support and a Stunning Setting
The run took place in front of the beautiful Orangerie in Kassel’s Karlsaue park – a location that never fails to impress. Particularly noteworthy: the mayor of Kassel gave a short speech and even joined in to run a few laps himself. A strong sign of support for the event’s cause.
Surprisingly Many Young Runners
When I arrived, I was amazed at how many runners were there – about 350 in total. I was even more surprised by how young most of the participants were. As usual, I was one of the older runners – but as we know, age doesn’t matter in running. The mix of young adults and a few seasoned runners like myself made the event especially vibrant and full of energy.
Starting Gun at 6 PM
Shortly before 6 PM, my wife arrived to cheer me on and take a few photos. Just after 6 PM, the unofficial starting signal was given, and I began my laps. My personal goal: ten kilometers, or ten laps. Since the course was completely flat, I was able to run at a much faster pace than I usually do after work.
Motivated by a Good Cause
The atmosphere on the course was fantastic. Even without official timing, many runners – especially the younger ones – were going at a high pace. No surprise there: every additional lap meant more donations for the children’s home. This combination of athletic motivation and social impact was the perfect drive for everyone involved.
Eventually, I did start to feel the strain from the faster pace, but I was determined to complete my ten laps. After just under an hour, I finished my run feeling satisfied. For a weekday evening, that was more than enough.
Conclusion: A Successful Event with Heart
The weather was great, the event was well-organized, and the location was, once again, truly impressive. But what inspired me the most was the concept of doing good through movement – all without any pressure to perform. It was uplifting to see so many young people involved, how easy it was to participate, and how strong the sense of community felt throughout the event.
I’ll definitely take part again next time. Events like this show just how easy it can be to combine sport, community, and social responsibility. And who knows – maybe next time I’ll run one or two laps more.
