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Road races, we’ve missed you! If running was one of your go-to activities over the worst of the COVID- 19 pandemic, you are no doubt well trained and raring to go by now. While race calendars still show plenty of cancellations for the larger and best-known running events originally scheduled to take place in Germany this summer, a handful of smaller events are still planned to forward as of this time. Below is a sampling of the races we’ve found within a reasonable distance of U.S. military bases. With participant numbers tightly capped in these still-not-normal times, registering in good time may be the wise course of action.
July 4: (Rothenberg) The Panorama Run Rothenberg takes place in the beautiful Odenwald, northeast of Heidelberg. The 5 km course can be taken on by both walkers and runners; the 10 km is for runners only. Registration for the 5 km run costs 8 euros; the 10 km costs 10 euros.
July 11: (Sulzbach-Rosenberg) The Rats-Runners Sulzbach-Rosenberg, a new road race to enter the scene, is billed as an adventure run and strewn with obstacles. Participation in the 10 km race costs 34 euros; those planning to go the 20 km distance will pay 39 euros. The race takes place in a town some 30 miles south of Grafenwöhr.
July 24: (Brückner and Böblingen) The Leonberger Citylauf cannot be organized along its usual route through the city; thus, its organizers have come up with two separate routes as safer alternatives. The route in Brückner is 10 km, whereas Böblingen’s runners will complete a 5 km course. The entry fee is 10 euros for either run.
Aug. 1: (Bad Kohlgrub) The Bad Kohlgruber Schluchtlauf is a run of either 3 km or 10 km with a route described as slightly hilly and scenic, but not a true mountain run. The town in which the race is held is located some 20 miles north of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the start fee is 10 euros.
Aug. 7: (Haar, just outside Munich), Aug. 14: (Mannheim) and Aug. 21-22: (Stuttgart) The Muddy Angel Run is a series of races designed for women runners only. A 5 km route passes through multiple muddy obstacles. The route can be completed by running, jogging and walking, and participation costs around 47 euros.
Wiesbaden: The Midsummer Run has been pushed forward from its original June date and now looks set to take place in August. The distances offered include 3 km for children, 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon (21.1 km) and marathon (42.2 km); it’s also possible to run the marathon as a team relay. Entry fees range from 3 to 65 euros depending on distance and time of registration.
Sept. 4-5: (Kaiserslautern) The Lautrer Lebenslauf Kaiserslautern is a 5 or 10 km run over a set route, but meant to be completed on a solo basis. The trail runs along the wooded trails of the Pfälzer Wald, just south of Kaiserslautern. A benefit run, proceeds from entry fees support children with a parent who is battling cancer. The start fee is 8 euros.
Sept. 12: (Pirmasens) The Pfälzerwald-Marathon Pirmasens has a steep course, but this is offset by lots of fresh air and forested trails. The marathon run can be completed by both solo runners and teams of four; the half-marathon is for singles or teams of two. Entry fees are 28 euros per single runner/40 euros for a team for the full marathon and 18 euros per single runner/25 euros for a duo for the half-marathon. Other running events within the framework of this race include a 5 km “Firmenlauf” race for workmates (Sept. 10) and a run for children (Sept. 11).
