Successful year for Salzburg running

"Get active!" – with this request, Club RunAustria has already reached more than 14,000 running enthusiasts in the current calendar year. As the organizer of the Salzburg Marathon, the Salzburg Women's Run and the Jedermannlauf, he can look back on three fantastic running festivals in the heart of the city of Mozart. Many people interested in running can be reached with the additional sporting opportunities. Time for a pleasing balance sheet for 2016.

"Authentic and honest running sport"

Organizer and trainer Johannes Langer is convinced of the path he has taken: “We develop added value for runners through authentic and honest solutions and deliver running events and sports offers that have a lasting effect. Our goal remains to promote an unmistakable portfolio on topics such as physical activity and performance, health, sports fun and running culture, which is now indispensable for the city and state of Salzburg. We don't do rush jobs, but put together tailor-made packages with innovative added value for our target groups. We are getting better at this from year to year, although our enthusiasm for running remains unbroken. This has enabled us to quadruple the number of participants at our events over the past ten years.”

More runners than ever before

In 2016, the Salzburg Marathon, the Salzburg Women's Run and the Everyone's Run all enjoyed clear new participant records, which underscores their positive development. It was possible to organize all three events in an atmospheric way and to touch the runners on an emotional level, so that they felt comfortable and could enjoy a memorable running experience in the city of Mozart. At the same time, the balancing act between competitive sport and health-promoting leisure sport was extremely successful. Because at all three events, numerous great sporting achievements were achieved and thousands of personal dreams were fulfilled.

State championships in the two most important long-distance distances

The importance of the Salzburg running events in the Austrian running scene is shown by the fact that the Austrian Athletics Association (ÖLV) commissioned Club RunAustria to organize the Austrian State Championships and Masters Championships on the two most important and popular long-distance distances in 2016. The state championships in marathon running took place for the fifth time since 2007 as part of the Salzburg Marathon. As in 2014, the national half-marathon championships were held as part of the amateur run.

"Get active days" in the spirit of running

Club RunAustria best meets the goal of addressing a broad, active crowd with its running events with the three-day events "Get active days" at the Salzburg Marathon. A wide range of competitions covers every runner's need. An attractive supporting program provides additional entertainment. With the international runners' fair "SportMall" organized for the second time, the Salzburg Marathon broadens the horizon and addresses running on many levels. In the coming year, the congress "Forum Laufsport" will take place for the first time in this context, which is intended to arouse additional interest from doctors, physiotherapists, trainers and runners.

10,389 active participants in the events

7,283 runners from 77 nations on all continents made the 2016 running festival in the city of Mozart a particularly atmospheric, international get-together. With 1,359 marathoners, Salzburg established itself as the second largest marathon destination in Austria after Vienna. The "Get active days" set an invaluable role model for people who achieve sustainable long-term health benefits through regular exercise. Through the state sports day, a platform is being set up together with the state sports organization of Salzburg clubs and associations, on which the wealth of exercise offers throughout the state is shown and used by around 2,500 children and young people.

At the same time, the Salzburg Marathon generates a considerable economic stimulus for the city and state of Salzburg, expressed in figures this is an added value of 4.2 million euros (calculated from studies by the University & WU Vienna). The same applies, of course, on a smaller scale to the Salzburg women's run with 1,873 participants from 28 nations and the amateur run with 1,233 participants from 23 nations.

International orientation, regional roots

With a committed ecological concept, the organizer of this event triple attaches great importance to sustainability. The absolute focus on organic and regional products in the catering during the three events - the Salzburg Marathon was certified organic for the seventh time - is an essential pillar of the regional anchoring. Despite their increased level of awareness on the international running stage, the three events are tailored to the venue of Salzburg and show the participants the most beautiful places in the city of Mozart. The unique combination of sport and culture in a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a high quality feature.

The joint support of various charity projects as part of all three events not only ensures social warmth, but also effective implementation with the donations made by various aid organizations (a little over € 23,000.00).

Important dates in 2017

5th of May: Forum Laufsport – the congress for the Salzburg Marathon
May 5-6: SportMall – the sports fair for the Salzburg Marathon
May 7th: Salzburg Marathon as part of the "Get active days" (May 5-7)

June 30th to July 1st: PrimaDonna Sportiva - the active fair for the Salzburg women's run
2nd July: Salzburg women's run as part of the movement campaign "Frau läuft!"
October 1: Jedermannlauf