Gadebusch in a running frenzy: Karl August Baum memorial run on July 13th!

Gadebusch in a running frenzy: Karl August Baum memorial run on July 13th!

A very special event is coming up in Gadebusch: The premiere of the Karl August Baum Memorial Run will take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025. This is an event that will not only showcase top sporting achievements, but will also be dedicated to the memory of an extraordinary person. Karl-August Baum was the head athletics coach for many years and became an honorary citizen of his hometown in 2023 at the age of 88. The run is sponsored by none other than Jürgen Schult, the famous discus throwing world champion from 1987 and Olympic champion from 1988, as Nordkurier reports.

Over 230 participants from Gadebusch and other cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Warnemünde have already registered, and the number could still increase. The anticipation is palpable: the sports enthusiasts have prepared intensively for the event in the weeks before, and some have even started running again. Prominent sporting greats are also expected, including Gerd Wessig, Olympic champion in the high jump in 1980, and Siegfried Stark, who won a bronze medal in the decathlon in 1978.

An event for a good cause

The Karl August Baum Memorial Run is not only a sporting highlight, but also has a social purpose. The event is organized by the children's sports group “Little Bandits” and all proceeds go to a children's project in Gadebusch. To take part, anyone interested can register until the day of the event. The start number distribution opens on July 13th until 1 p.m.

Participants can expect a variety of running options: from the 1,000-meter run for children to 5 and 10 kilometers for teenagers and adults as well as 5 and 10 kilometers of Nordic walking. It will be particularly exciting for the fastest runners in the 10-kilometer run, as they can look forward to symbolic batons from Leonide Baum, who won bronze in the shot put at the World Championships in Florida.

Traffic disruptions are inevitable

Anyone driving to Gadebusch this Sunday should expect that there will be traffic delays from 12 p.m. Many streets have to be closed for the run, including some parking lots. There will be no shortage of around 50 volunteers who will help actively so that the event can run smoothly.

While athletics in Germany has a long history that dates back to the 19th century and is marked by significant achievements, the memorial run shows that the sport is still alive and developing. This sport, which has been an integral part of the Olympic Games since 1896, has also created a strong community in Gadebusch that supports each other through such events. The memory of Karl-August Baum is kept alive through the run and shows how important it is to cultivate memories and at the same time take on social responsibility.