The Würzburg Residenzlauf is back, and after all corona restrictions have been lifted, almost everything is back to how it was before. On Sunday, May 1st, after a two-year forced break, the 32nd edition will take place on the 2.5-kilometer route around the Residenz World Heritage Site. The organizers are expecting more than 2000 runners. The most important information at a glance:
Which routes does the Würzburg Residence Run offer?
As usual, there is a suitable run for all age and performance classes. It starts on Sunday, May 1, at 10.30 a.m. with the taster run over 600 meters for the little ones (born 2015 or younger), followed by the Bambini run (2013 and younger) over one kilometer and a 2.5-kilometer lap at the No Limits Run. The five-kilometre run will start at 12.20 p.m., the main ten-kilometre run at 1.30 p.m. Starting at 3.15 p.m., the top runners will also complete four laps around the residence in the “Run of the Aces”.
Has anything changed in the program because of the corona pandemic?
The traditional campaign for school classes and kindergarten groups, in which several thousand girls and boys have taken part in the past, will be much smaller this year. The event was originally planned under 3G conditions without the action to avoid large crowds. After the last corona restrictions were lifted, the organizers decided to invite schools and kindergartens at short notice. The normal participation fee of nine euros per person applies, registration is possible by email or until Friday in the Residenzlauf office on Sedanstrasse.
What is on offer for the viewers?
The culinary offerings come from the Gasthof zum Hirschen and the Alte Mainmühle. The “Main City Stompers” and “Broken Silence” provide musical entertainment on the Residenzplatz stage. The “Lauf der Aces” with international participants will feature Maryam Jusuf Jamal from Bahrain, an Olympic champion, and Domenika Mayer and Hendrik Pfeiffer, the two reigning German marathon champions.
How many registrations are there?
By the registration deadline on April 20, 1539 participants had registered, around a thousand fewer than at the same time for the 2019 residency run. Most of the entries were for the main run (898) and the company run (315). The organizers are expecting 700 to 1000 late registrations over the weekend. These are possible on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Decathlon branch on Robert-Bunsen-Straße and on Sunday up to one hour before the start of the respective race on Residenzplatz. Contrary to what was originally planned, no 3G proof has to be presented and the start numbers and running shirts can also be picked up collectively for several registered participants.
What restrictions are there due to the closure of the route?
Parking on the Residenzplatz is restricted on Saturday and not at all on Sunday. The lanes and parking bays along the running route must also be free of motor vehicles from Sunday morning, illegal parkers will be towed away. Properly parked cars cannot be driven away before 4 p.m. on Sunday. Access to all churches is secured.
Did the residency run get through the pandemic well?
“We are a non-profit event and were able to survive the pandemic without state aid. Now we are looking forward to getting started again on May 1st,” says organization manager Reinhard Peter. The sponsors have also remained loyal to the Residenzlauf. However, the financial reserves are now as good as used up. Nevertheless, this year the residence run donates 50 cents per registered participant to the sports foundation of the Universitätsbund Würzburg under the motto “Run For Ukraine 2022”. The money will be used to support institutions in Würzburg’s new partner city of Lviv in the Ukraine, where the University of Würzburg has partnerships with several universities.
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