Official runs

Can a run without official rankings and timekeeping be fun? Yes, absolutely! The Urban Trail is not about achieving athletic excellence but rather a unique combination of movement, culture, and an unforgettable city experience.

The idea of participating in the Kassel Marathon didn’t appeal to me at first. I know my hometown inside out, and the route didn’t promise any new impressions. Yet, I let myself be convinced – and it turned out to be an interesting experience in the end.

After running my first half marathon on this course back in 2015, I knew I had to experience it again. 

Running a marathon had always been a dream of mine. After months of preparation, the day had finally arrived. Standing at the start line, ready to tackle the 42.195 kilometers, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. As long as nothing unexpected happened along the way, the finish line was within reach.

There it was, my third Sylt Run. After the 2018 Sylt Run, where strong headwinds posed a major challenge, I was curious about the conditions this year.

Actually, it wasn’t an official race but rather a privately organized event. Yet, with runners from different clubs coming together, it still felt like a genuine race experience to me.

That was another race in Düsseldorf that felt almost like a home game for me, thanks to having family nearby. But this time, it was set to be a particularly memorable run for me, as I had one long-standing goal: to finish the half marathon in under two hours.

This was one of the toughest half marathons I’ve ever run. I’ve never felt so physically exhausted as I did after this race. The combination of challenging terrain and summer temperatures made this race a real test—one I won’t forget anytime soon.

It was the perfect opportunity to combine a visit to Düsseldorf with a race. A running friend from our group also has family in Düsseldorf, so we decided to make it a shared experience and run together.

It was once again one of those smaller running events that took place almost right on our doorstep—perfect for a spontaneous entry. We seized the opportunity and signed up at the last minute.

Even though I had one of the highly coveted bib numbers for the Syltlauf 2017, I decided to skip the race because I wasn’t in good enough shape. Despite that, we didn’t completely cancel our plans. All our accommodation was already booked, and we decided to go to Sylt anyway to cheer on Natascha, who was running in the race.

It doesn’t always have to be a serious race; sometimes it’s all about having fun, like at the Nikolauslauf in Cologne.

Originally, this was supposed to be my first marathon. After running several half-marathons and completing the 33.333 km Sylt Run, I felt ready to tackle the full marathon distance. But as it often happens, things didn’t go exactly according to plan.

When you're visiting family and there's a race on your doorstep, you simply can't say no as a runner.

A slightly different run, one that challenged me more than I expected. The Syltlauf from last week was still weighing heavily on my legs. Despite the disappointing time, I don’t regret doing the run. It taught me when it’s the right time for a long run and when it’s better to take a break from running.

After successfully completing several half marathons, which still required a fair amount of preparation and training, Natascha, my wife’s daughter, came up with the idea that I should try running a longer distance.

A run on an island is always something special, especially when part of the course leads directly along the coast. The vastness of the sea, the scent of salty air, and the sound of the waves create a unique atmosphere that you rarely experience during other races.

It doesn’t always have to be the big running events. Sometimes, the smaller races organized by local clubs can bring just as much, if not more, joy. These events often have a charm of their own, offering a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere that you don’t always find in larger races.

The 10-Teiche Marathon in Hahnenklee is one of my oldest and fondest memories of an official running event.