Traunsee Half Marathon 2024: Running into the sunset - a mega experience!

This year's Traunsee Half Marathon was another great experience for me. A dream for all running enthusiasts!

Despite my ankle injury (yes, again 😂), I went into the race without any great expectations. Traunsee Half Marathon 2024 and it was definitely worth it. With ideal temperatures and cloudy skies, I achieved a great time of 1:39:59. I wasn't able to beat my Traunsee Half Marathon 2023 record, but that doesn't matter - everyone who took part in this great run won. 🫶 Together with Martin, who achieved an incredible time of 1:24:50 we were back at the start in pairs this year. Unfortunately, our photographer Michael was unable to be there at short notice this year, which is why there are no photos of us this year, but that in no way diminished our enjoyment of the run.

In the start area I also met Eva (1:46:58) and Lisa (2:04:14) from my association Team Vegan.at met. Both put in an outstanding performance and it was even Lisa's first half marathon. Eva is on the left in the cover picture and Lisa on the right.

The results of the Traunsee Half Marathon 2024 can be found here: To the 2024 results

My little reel about it

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michael & Elyas Freizeitblog ⛰️🏃🏽‍♂️🚴 (@muatsdrawig.at)

My run at the Traunsee Half Marathon 2024

There was already a great atmosphere in the start area with a moderator, waiting on a beautiful green area right by the lake with toilets and drinking water at the Hervis stand. The motivating music selection also created anticipation. When the starting shot was fired, the happiness hormones immediately kicked in and the first kilometre was - as always - far too fast. It was an absolutely marvellous run with a great panorama, a great atmosphere and fantastic spectators at the roadside who cheered and motivated the runners.

The main road from Gmunden to Ebensee was completely closed for the run. Something that requires a lot of organisational talent, as this is an important connecting route for many local residents. As a runner, you are all the more grateful to have been provided with this running route. Signs were already visible in the surrounding area and on the motorway a few days before the event. Thank you to the organisers for the organisation and thank you to the residents for your street!

The route is fun and invites you to enjoy yourself. If you complete the half marathon in under two hours, you are a sun finisher, as you reach the finish line before sunset. Otherwise you are a moon shiner, which also has its charm. The refreshment stations were well placed with water, iso drinks, gels and bananas. According to the elevation profile, there are only 36 metres of elevation to overcome - but I once again suppressed and underestimated the small climbs 😄.

Further highlights of the event

First of all, once again great praise for the extremely cool SUNSET magazine with all the important information and also introductions to the sponsors and contributors. You will receive the magazine when you collect your starter number together with a starter bag (this year a rucksack) and the Traunsee Half Marathon T-Shirt 2024. The well-filled start and finish bags are also always a highlight. For me as a vegan, there are contents that are not for me, but I have simply passed them on.

✅ All starting places were sold out with over 2500 participants - a new record!
✅ There was a small finish arena at the finish line, which created a great atmosphere.
✅ There was a small solstice bonfire by the lake.
✅ Your own Traunsee Half Marathon T-shirt

✅ Competitions:

• Mini marathon from 250m - 900m
• Junior Run with 4km
• Sun-Run 4km
• Pleasure run with 11.5km
• Half marathon with 21.1km

✅ Service:

• Shuttle with special trains or boat transfer
• Free parking on the SEP site
• Some catering / refreshment stations along the route
• Luggage transport by lorry from the start to the finish
• Well-filled start and finish bags

⚠️ A small point of criticism, but this is more due to the local location: the luggage drop-off lorry is at the tram station and is again a few metres behind the finish line. The shower facilities, on the other hand, are in the complete opposite direction in the NMS in Gmunden, where you can stroll to just ten minutes after the half marathon. Not a big problem - that's just my only criticism. The finish area is simply very small - there's nothing the organisers can do about it.

Directions and parking facilities for the Traunsee Half Marathon

We drove to Gmunden by car and parked at the SEP site. From there it was only an eight-minute walk to the railway station. From there, we took one of the special trains to Ebensee for the start. 🛤️

Travelling by public transport is therefore very easy. The organisers provided a map of the special trains so that everything went smoothly.

Use of the trains was free with the start number.

My conclusion

The Traunsee Half Marathon 2024 was a great experience. Despite my ankle injury, I managed to achieve an impressive time of 1:39:59. The great atmosphere in the start area, the magnificent route with a fantastic panorama and the motivating spectators made the run something special. The well-placed refreshment stations and catering also contributed to the positive overall experience. Overall, it was an all-round successful event and I'm looking forward to taking part again next year. 🏃‍♂️🎉

Click here for Early Bird registration: Secure your starting place for 2025 now!

Further recommendation

Did you like this post? Then I have another great running tip for you! 🤩 Have a read here: Innsbruckathlon - Beat the City Final 2023