German Championship 50km at the Schwäbisch Alb Marathon in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

Saturday morning my running colleges Walter Zimmermann and Georg Braungart met up at my home in Dettelbach. Together we drove to the Schwäbisch Alb Marathon to Schwäbisch Gmünd. Just after 9am we arrived there. First thing was to pick up our bids at the market place. Some things had changed since I was there the last time. Previous everything was placed next to the gym. Now, only the showers are there and the Start, Finish and Orga was placed at the market place. It was the third time that I took place at the German Championships over there. First time was 1998, when I did my first race as well.

The start was in time at 10am. The leading group was moving away quiet fast. Since the 25km- and relay-runners started with us, it was hard to keep an overview. But it does not matter for me, since I had planed to run my own speed and not to orientate on other runners. I was definitely not in the shape to run in a top position. Hence, it was more important to run a good race for myself. After a few kilometers I caught up with Bernhard Mutz a runner from Kempten. The speed fitted, so we talked and pushed each other. Wile he was stronger uphill, I dominated at the downhills. Due to the fact that there are plenty of double parts to run, it was possible to see runners in front or behind oneself. Most of the course remained the same, but the surface changed extremely. Now, most of the course was on asphalt or at least gravel paths. That is why tit was not the German ultratrail champion ships anymore as 1998 and 2001, but the German champion ship in 50km street. Nevertheless, the beautiful views from the three Kaiserberge (hills), which we had to cross, remained. Due to the sunny weather it was a fantastic view. Also the support was as good as before.

In the end I finished slower than the first two times, but my placement was similar. While it took me 4h7 and 5h6 before, it took me 4h16 now. Therefore I was placed 32nd place this time. Before I was placed 32nd place and 54th place.