New Year’s Eve runs: Fireworks of enthusiasm for running

It was a popular tradition for many to round off the year on New Year’s Eve. But then Corona came and with it the forced break. Last Saturday proved that the New Year’s Eve runs, in contrast to many other sporting events in this country, have lost almost none of their appeal. Not only because of the mild temperatures, some well-known places immediately became hotspots for those who wanted to run.

Peuerbach: Traditionally there is a rendezvous for mass and class from near and far in the Hausruck district. But never before have there been more starters, including many children, at the fun run there. “It was a worthy anniversary for the 40th New Year’s Eve run,” said the new OC boss Carsten Eich. The six-time winner of the event, like thousands of spectators along the side of the track, then saw how the Serb Elzan Bibic impressively defended his victory in 2019 at the last Peuerbach edition. He caught up with Kenyan Isaac Kipkemboi Too on the final lap and eventually won the sprint in 18:54.76 by 2.11 seconds. Strong third place was Andreas Vojta from Vienna. “Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we managed to get on the podium,” said the half-marathon national champion. The women’s title went to the favorite from Ethiopia: Werkuha Getachew, current Vice World Champion over 3000 meters steeplechase, fought a duel with Edinah Jebitok from Kenya and won after 16:01.10 minutes by just 0.82 seconds her opponent. At her first start in Peuerbach, Julia Mayer secured fifth place as the best Austrian, just ahead of Lena Millonig, who finished seventh.

Linz: There was also a good mood on December 31st on Linz’s main square, where hundreds of runners also set off for the 20th Hypo New Year’s Eve Run – some of them in creative costumes and less concerned with fast times. Others, such as the winner Philipp Obermüller from the SU Bad Leonfelden (18:27 minutes) or the German winner of the women’s classification, Tina Fischl (20:42), who has also given the honor of the Linz marathon several times, made it to the End of the year again at a good pace. “We actually didn’t expect such a large number of starters,” said Peter Weinzierl, head of organization at the TriRun Linz association.

Photo gallery: New Year’s Eve run in Gmunden

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Gmunden: The young event in the Salzkammergut was also able to report a record number of participants. City manager Stefan Krapf laced his running shoes there, as did ex-basketball player Peter Hütter and many more. They enjoyed the run along the Esplanade to Villa Toscana and back in double-digit temperatures. Endris Seid didn’t take it easy: The local hero won the men’s race in 13:17 minutes ahead of Mathias Mitterlehner. Her partner Leyla Reshed was ahead of the women in 14:14 minutes.

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Dominik Feischl

d.feischl@nachrichten.at

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