Ehrenhausen - Wies (Austria), Saturday 7 May 2011
The Welschlauf is a popular and atmospheric event, held in the wine-growing region of Southern Styria (Südsteiermark) in the south of Austria, close to the Slovenian border.
It's an event without a prize fund or elite athletes but lots fun runners, music, food and locally produced Welsch wine. Last year's edition had over 2000 participants.
Entrants choose between the marathon, the half marathon, and the 12k run and walk. All races are very hilly and picturesque point-to-point courses. The routes alternate in direction each year.
In 2011, the marathon will start in the village of Ehrenhausen (pictured), which is on the Graz-Maribor train line. Half marathon and 12k runners will join the field en route to the finish in the village of Wies.
In 2010, Hannes Kranixfeld defended his marathon title in 2:58:02, Karoline Dohr was first woman in 3:32:04. Hans Muralter (1:19:44) and Elisabeth Pöltner (1:34:48) won the half marathon.
Country: Austria
Venue (Map): Ehrenhausen - Wies
Date: 7 May 2011 (Saturday)
Start (42km): 10.00 Ehrenhausen
Start (42km 4-person relay): 10.30 Ehrenhausen
Start (21km): 12.00 Eichberg-Trautenburg
Start (12km run and nordic walking): 14.00 Saggau
Finish: Wies
Entry fees (42km): 33/43 euros (until 30 April/until 6 May 2011)
Entry fees (42km relay teams): 99/109 euros
Entry fees (21km): 29/39 euros
Entry fees (12km): 25/35 euros
Timing: ChampionChip - use your own chip or rent a chip for 3 euros (30 euros deposit)
Race centre: Feuerwehr Leutschach (Friday 6 May 16.00-21.00); in the start areas (on the day until 10 minutes before the start)
You get: T-shirt, finisher medal; bus service from the finish to the start (before the race only!); transport of personal clothing from the start to the finish; massage at the start and at the finish
Number of finishers 2010: 269 (42km), 866 (21km), 825 (10.8km), 11 relay teams
Event website (in German): www.welschlauf.com
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information on this page.