The Welschlauf is a very popular running event in the wine-growing region of Southern Styria. Last year, more than 1800 runners took part in the marathon, the half marathon and the 12km run.

It's a scenic route through a succession of picturesque vineyard communities, but keep in mind: it's a tough course! There are plenty of steep climbs, and many runners take this as a fun event and don't even try to come close to their PB.

The marathon starts off in the village of Ehrenhausen with its 16th century fortress, just 20km north of the Slovene town of Maribor. All races finish in the village of Wies, where a marathon party will be held in the afternoon.

Country: Austria

Venue (Map): Ehrenhausen - Wies

Date: 2 May 2009 (Saturday)

Race distance: 42.2km; marathon relay (4 runners); 21.1km; 12km

Start of the marathon: 10.00 Ehrenhausen

Start of the half marathon: 12.00 Eichberg-Trautenburg

Start of the 12km run: 14.00 St. Johann im Saggautal, Ortsteil Saggau

Finish: Wies

Entries: online (on the event website), late entries on Friday, 1 May in the Knielyhaus in Leutschach (from 16.00 to 21.00); no entries on the day!

Entry fees: advance entries until 26 April: 30 EUR (marathon), 26 EUR (half marathon), 22 EUR (12km); late entries 10 EUR more; relay 90/110 EUR

Timing: Champion Chip (bring your own chip or rent one for 3 EUR (25 EUR deposit))

Race centre: Knielyhaus in Leutschach (open Friday, 1 May from 16.00 to 21.00); you can also pick up your race number at your start

You get: transport of your bag from the start to the finish, bus shuttle in the morning from Wies to the start of your race, T-Shirt, medal

Presentation: approximately at 17.00

Number of finishers 2008: 1830 (11km: 688; 21km: 866; 42km: 276)

Event website: www.welschlauf.com

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information on this page.