The preparations are almost complete, the 27th edition of the Weßlinger Seelauf can start on Sunday, May 15th: At 10 a.m. the starting shot will be given for the 1.3-kilometer run for those born between 2007 and 2016, after that at 10.15 a.m. the classes will start from 2012 and older attempt a 3.5-kilometre circumnavigation of the lake. However, women and men who have only recently started running again can also take part. The youngest Seelauf participants born in 2015 and younger will then demonstrate their skills at 10.45 a.m. in the “Zwergerllauf” with two laps on the sports grounds of the organizer SC Weßling. Experience has shown that the mood increases here when parents and grandparents cheer for the kids, even if there is no individual rating in this run. Instead, each active person gets an identical present. “At this age there should be no thought of competition,” explains event manager Carsten Neder.
At 11.15 a.m. the 12-kilometre cross-country run starts, which leads back across country to Weßling via Hochstadt and Oberpfaffenhofen. After the successful premiere last year, this discipline will be held for the second time this year. The heart of the event is still the run over ten kilometers, which starts at 11.30 a.m. The entire event focuses on mass sport. However, top runners have also announced themselves for the new edition this year: In cross-country skiing, for example, Finn Hösch has entered, a member of the German youth national team in ski mountaineering, which will be an Olympic discipline in the future. The Greek Dimitrios Tsakalos (best time: just under 30 minutes) and the defending champion at sea, Yvonne Kleiner – she was already the German senior champion in the half marathon – are on the starting lists over ten kilometers. Alexander Kaempf (all LG Stadtwerke München), reigning Bavarian Youth Vice Champion over 5000 meters, has also announced himself. “We’re not paying any sign-up bonuses this year either,” says Neder, “but it shows the importance of the event in the scene when such rockets take part.”
In addition to their start number, each participant receives a chip that is required for evaluation. Handmade medals await the fastest. Refreshing electrolyte drinks are available to quench your thirst. There will also be bananas and melons, and a cake buffet will be set up. Start and finish for all runs is in the sports stadium on Meilinger Weg. The way there is signposted, and parking spaces are available around the site.
Anyone who has not yet registered but spontaneously wants to take part on Sunday can register up to 60 minutes before the respective start. A little tip that also applies to the well over 250 athletes who have already registered online: if you want to avoid crowds and prepare for the race in peace and quiet, you shouldn’t wait until the last moment. The competition office is open from eight o’clock. All information about the event can be found on the Internet at the address www.seelauf.eu.