Erzberg Run 2009

The Erzberg ("Ore Mountain") in Austria is an enormous open-pit mine where iron ore has been mined since the 12th century. It rises above the old mining town of Eisenerz in the eastern part of the Alps.

The Erzberglauf offers the only possibility of exploring the bizarrely coloured Erzberg terraces on foot. Usually, it can only be visited on a bumpy tour on a "Hauly", a huge truck weighing 55 tons.

The race starts off with a fake blast. Participants run or walk up the terraced benches of the mine to the finish on the top of the mountain (1475m).

With an elevation gain of 745 metres in 12.5 kilometres (an average gradient of 6 per cent) it's not a too difficult mountain race. Just the last bit to the finish is a bit steeper.

Before and after the start, spectators can hop on a free bus to the finish. From there, they can look out over the whole route and watch the field of more than 1200 runners and nordic walkers making their way up the terraces.

The course records are held bei Manfred Heit (52:43) and Johanna Magauer (1:03:32).

 

Country: Austria

Venue (Map): Erzberg, Eisenerz (Graz 84km, Maribor 148km)

Date: 22 August 2009 (Saturday)

Race distance: 12.5km (+745m)

Start time: 10.30

Entries: advance entries online until 18 August 2009 (click on 'Anmeldung' on the event website), payment by bank transfer or credit card; late entries in the race centre

Entry fees: 23/26/29 EUR (until 30 June/until 18 August/late entries)

Entry fees (nordic walking): 16/18/21 EUR

Race centre: at the Erzberg, open on 21 August (Friday) from 17.00 to 20.00 and on the day of the race from 7.00 to 10.00

Timing: Champion Chip - bring your own chip or rent a chip for 3 EUR (25 EUR deposit); no timing of nordic walkers

You get: finisher medal, certificate, pasta, transport of personal clothing to the finish, bus service back to the start

Prizes: 200 EUR for a new course record; trophy to the first M/F; first 3 in the categories

Showers and changing facilities: yes

Presentation and prize raffle: 15.30

Number of finishers 2008: 1286

Event website (in German): erzbergsport.at

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.