EUROPE
Inclusion athlete Abdul Dogan joins with Kaiserslautern-connected runners to tackle the world record for Longest Cumulative Distance Run by One Team in 90 days.

Inclusion athlete Abdul Dogan joins with Kaiserslautern-connected runners to tackle the world record for Longest Cumulative Distance Run by One Team in 90 days. (Westpfalz-Klinikum GmbH©)

Have you ever dreamed of being part of a world record?

Now is your chance! Local inclusion athlete Abdul Dogan has long been active in wheelchair sports and decided to pursue setting a personal world record. However, with the help of partnerships in his hometown of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Dogan’s goal has magnified to tackling a team record, and you can join in the challenge.

The Science and Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (SIAK) worked with Dogan on expanding the world record campaign in collaboration with numerous local businesses and organizations. Their goal: Bringing the community together around a common goal and breaking a world record while drawing attention to inclusive sports.

Athletes of all abilities are invited to join the cohort pushing to break the world record for the Longest Cumulative Distance Run by One Team in 90 days. The current record was set by the Allianz Group in 2017, with over 10,000 team members covering 1,373,262 kilometers in the 90 days.

You must be registered by May 22 for your kilometers to count toward the world record!

People with a connection to Kaiserslautern, Germany are invited to join the cohort aiming to establish a new world record with a focus on inclusion athletics.

People with a connection to Kaiserslautern, Germany are invited to join the cohort aiming to establish a new world record with a focus on inclusion athletics. (provided by Science and Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern e.V.)

Clubs, companies and individuals with a connection to K-Town (whether currently living near or far from the city) are encouraged to join in the effort.

From May 22nd until August 19, 2025, all registered participants or groups will record their run distances using the viRACE App. The app connects to Strava, Garmin and Polar accounts for those who prefer to run using a smartwatch.

Dogan plans to contribute at least 2,500 kilometers to Kaiserslautern’s world record goal. He has an intensive training program, including workouts and outings with local community partners.

There will be a kickoff 5K on May 22nd from Stiftsplatz in downtown Kaiserslautern, held by event sponsor B2Run.

Participants are also encouraged to take part in regular community group runs that take place three times a week at different locations. You can find details on the campaign website in addition to training plans for both beginners and advanced runners.

Will you take part in this opportunity to both break a world record and shed light on inclusion athletics?

author picture
Kat is a travel and lifestyle writer based in Kaiserslautern, Germany with a special interest in anything theatrical, outdoorsy or ancient. She has a bachelor’s degree in geography from Penn State University and a master’s degree in archaeology from the University of the Highlands and Islands.

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