9th Parktherme Desert Run 2010

It can get pretty hot in the "Desert Run" through sunbaked fields in southern Austria.

There's hardly any shade on the course and in mid-June you can expect the sun to be blazing hot at the start at 4.30pm.

The event includes a half marathon, two shorter running races, a nordic walking competition and a Kid's Run.

The start and the finish are on the pretty main square of Bad Radkersburg, a small provincial spa town on the border with Slovenia.

After a short loop around town, the route travels through corn and pumpkin fields, close to the River Mur. Most of the race is on cyclepaths and roads but a short section is on a dirt trail. The course is pancake-flat, traffic-free and AIMS-certified.

The entry fees are relatively high but participants get free entry to the spa of the Parktherme to cool off after the race (in the hot thermal pools), as well as a voucher for another entry ticket.

The after-race "desert party" features belly dancers, camel riding and live music.

In 2009, the half marathon winners were Manfred Konrad (1:11:35) and Ingrid Eichberger (1:24:33).

Country: Austria

Venue (Map): Bad Radkersburg (Maribor 41km, Graz 77km, Vienna 206km, Budapest 306km)

Date: 12 June 2010 (Saturday)

Race distance: 21.1km, 13.6km, 8.7km, 9.5km (nordic walking), ca. 1km (14 years and under)

Start time: 16.00 (children), 16.30 (21/13.6/8.7km); 16.35 (nordic walking)

Start and finish: Hauptplatz (main square) in Bad Radkersburg

Entries: online or by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) until 5 June, payment by bank transfer; late entries on the day until 14.30

Entry fees* (8.7/13.6km): 21/26 EUR (until 5 June/late entries)

Entry fees* (21.1km): 24/31 EUR

Entry fees* (nordic walking): 16/21 EUR 

Entry fees* (children): 5 EUR

*Timing: SMC Timing (3 EUR rental fee, 20 EUR deposit)

Race centre: Congresszentrum Zehnerhaus, Hauptplatz (Friday 11 June 12.00-19.30, on the day 11.30-15.30)

You get: a T-Shirt or a cap, free entry to the spa on 11 and 12 June, entry ticket to the spa (valid until 23 December 2010), prize raffle

Prizes (21km): hotel vouchers to the first 3 M/F, category prizes

Presentation: ca. 20.00

Number of finishers 2009: 320 (21km), 139 (13.6km), 223 (8.7km), 38 (nordic walking)

Event website (in German): www.parktherme.at

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page! Please visit the official event website to verify the above information.