Exercise on Holiday? Yes Please!
When most hotel guests (or other family members) are still asleep, some are already heading out into the great outdoors. Running shoes on their feet, headphones in their ears, training plan in their heads, pulse rate checked. Using holidays for targeted training is not new, but it is becoming increasingly popular. Marathon or running holidays have a small but growing interest group. But even on a family holiday, with a little planning and the right motivation, you can use your free time for running.
Moreover, the amenities of hotels can perfectly complement your training plan. Pools invite you to swim, saunas relax your muscles and professional sports massages prepare your body for the rigors of a marathon. Many hotels also have their own fitness studios where you can train under professional guidance. And finally, a mountain hike with the family also counts as a gentle cardio workout.
Marathon as a Destination
For most people, a marathon is a goal that requires a lot of training. However, it can not only become a training destination but also a travel destination. Some runners deliberately choose a marathon in a distant place as their first race. The most famous is the New York Marathon. According to New York City, around 50,000 people take part in the 42.195-kilometre race every year, around 10,000 of whom travel from abroad.
This combines the rigours of the race with the experience of travelling, and the marathon itself becomes a unique experience.
Running Events and Marathons 2024 and Sustainable Hotels for Your Stay
Schwarzwald (Black Forest) Marathon
The Schwarzwald Marathon has been held since 1968 and is considered the oldest nature and women’s marathon in the world. In addition to the marathon (for women and men), other races take place, including a relay marathon, 10- and 5-km runs, and children’s races. Registration for this year’s run is still open!
Your sustainable Hotel in the Black Forest: SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA
The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA wellness and health hotel is located about 160 kilometers from Bräunlingen. Here, runners will find ideal conditions to prepare for the race as well as to recover afterwards. And best of all: all this can be enjoyed in the knowledge that the wonderful nature you are running through is being actively protected.
Ostseelauf (Baltic Sea Run) in Timmendorfer Strand
The Ostseelauf has taken place annually since 2003 and is organized by numerous regional partners. Last year, almost 1,500 participants enjoyed the run along the Baltic Sea. By the way: There are also team competitions!
Your sustainable Hotel: Lifestylehotel SAND
The Lifestylehotel SAND not only supports the Baltic Sea run with prizes (the winners can expect an overnight stay at the SAND with breakfast), but this year also offered the Triathlon Heldinnen accommodation and catering for their training camp as part of a cooperation.
Stolberger Schloss-Lauf (Stolberg Castle Run) in the Harz Mountains
This year, the charity run organized by the Ritter von Kempski private hotels for the region’s kindergartens celebrated its 5th birthday. Almost 350 runners took part and discovered the European city of Stolberg and the beautiful nature of the southern Harz on various routes. The start and finish line is located directly at Stolberg Castle. A perfect backdrop for top running performances.
Your sustainable Hotel: Naturresort Schindelbruch
The wellness hotel and Naturresort Schindelbruch belongs to Ritter von Kempski Privathotels and is located in the midst of the same impressive nature through which the routes of the Stolberger Schloss-Lauf lead. Guests can look forward to an all-around wellness program that is ideal for relaxing and recharging their batteries after the half marathon or one of the shorter runs.
Königsschlösser (Royal Castle) Marathon in Füssen
The Saturday run in Füssen is an event that attracts many participants from the region. Against the fantastic backdrop of the Alps and the royal castles, the marathon almost seems like sightseeing. For those who don’t want to run quite so far, there are other distances that can be run around Füssen.
Your sustainable Hotel: Hotel Das Rübezahl
It’s much easier to recover from your exertions with a view of Neuschwanstein Castle. „We often have guests who take part in the Königsschlösser Marathon,” the team of the Hotel Das Rübezahl tells us. A large wellness area, cozy rooms, and delicious food in the hotel’s restaurants await the runners and their companions.
In Austria
Vienna City Marathon (Wien Marathon)
The Vienna City Marathon is a real running party with many events for runners and fans around the actual marathon. In addition, it is an experience simply because an enthusiastic, international community of runners comes together every year and, of course, because the route passes the city’s top sights. In addition to the marathon and half marathon, there are also other races for young and old.
Your sustainable Hotel: Gut Guntrams
The Naturgut Guntrams with its various holiday apartments is located about 60 kilometers from the Austrian capital in the middle of the Bucklige Welt. Not only do marathon preparations take place here in the most beautiful natural surroundings, afterwards the tranquillity, the cozy holiday apartments, and the natural bathing pond offer perfect conditions for holistic relaxation. No wonder marathon participants regularly stop here.
Dreiländer-Giro in Tyrol (Cycling Marathon)
3,000 metres in altitude, three countries and between 120 and 168 kilometres in length – at the Dreiländer-Giro it’s not the runners who are applauded, but the cyclists. The Giro Days, a festival of the cycling scene surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps, will also take place around the event. The start and finish lines are in Nauders, a neighbouring town to Pfunds.
Your sustainable Accommodation: Summit Lodges Pfunds
The two North American log cabin-style holiday homes welcome guests with plenty of space, their own sauna and a terrace with mountain views. There are numerous hiking and biking trails around the lodges, which are also suitable for preparation or a relaxing getaway. This year, both chalets were occupied by participants in the Dreiländer-Giro.
Achensee Half Marathon
The course of the half marathon leads once around the largest lake in Tyrol. This means that the run definitely qualifies as nature sightseeing and a holiday. In addition to the half marathon, which can also be run as a team or relay, there is a 10 km race and children’s races over 500 meters and 2.6 km. Perfect for families who love running.
Your sustainable Hotel: Biohotel Grafenast
The Biohotel Grafenast is located high above the Inn Valley. The view alone is worth the trip. The cozy forest sauna, the delicious organic food and the hiking and running trails around the hotel invite marathon runners to relax and recharge. Guided nature tours and yoga retreats are also held regularly. Children will also feel at home here.
