Friedemann Hecke runs to the silver medal in the 24-hour run in Gotha!

Friedemann Hecke runs to the silver medal in the 24-hour run in Gotha!

The German 24-hour race championship took place in Gotha last weekend, an event that attracted numerous athletes and spectators. VfL Ostelsheim sent Friedemann Hecke into the race, who was back in form after a dry spell due to injury. Previous hamstring problems seemed forgotten when he improved two weeks before the competition and decided to compete. On June 15, 2025, while temperatures hovered around a pleasant 20 degrees, Hecke lined up alongside 112 other runners to take on the endurance test.

An exciting race over 24 hours

The route in Gotha Castle Park was around 1.342 kilometers long and had a height difference of 10 meters. The starters got started with a committed starting signal at 10 a.m. Hecke quickly found his rhythm and covered an impressive 50 kilometers in the first six hours, running at a pace of 7 minutes per kilometer. At the half-time break, after 12 hours, he was in a strong third place in the M60 age group with 94 kilometers.

The challenges of the race became increasingly greater. After 13 hours, Hecke even improved to second place and was able to gain a lead of three laps. But the weather had other plans: 90 minutes before the end, heavy rain set in, making conditions much more difficult. Despite these adversities, Hecke took a short 15-minute break to recharge his batteries. This strategic move allowed him to maintain his lead and ultimately win the silver medal.

Sustainable success for LG Ultralauf

The LG Ultralauf was also well represented. With an outstanding team of 12 men and 5 women, the club had one of the strongest teams and thus secured second place in the team ranking of the German championship. A total of over 150 participants took to the track, with the LG Ultra Running athletes achieving remarkable achievements, such as the total distances of 498.229 kilometers for women and 633.264 kilometers for men.

In addition, Eike Kleiner surprisingly became runner-up with a new personal best of 229.475 kilometers. The surprises continued when LG Ultralauf also secured the first Bundesliga and day win of the season and topped the table.

Looking into the future

Friedemann Hecke will be heading to the M65 class next year, where he will compete in Delmenhorst. The 24-hour run is more than just a competition - it's a real mental exercise and a challenge for body and mind. The last German Championships showed once again that endurance and willpower are rewarded, be it with records or medals. And with the next competition in Delmenhorst on June 28, 2025, the sport of ultrarunning will continue to move.

The 24-hour race championship took place for the second time in 2025. The competition, which was added to the official agenda of the German Athletics Championships for the first time in 2019, shows how well this demanding discipline has become established. The interest and number of participants speak for themselves and arouse anticipation for upcoming events.

The 24-hour run is the ultimate goal for many runners who want to push their limits within a day. The current championship sets new standards and Friedemann Hecke's success is an inspiring story of fighting spirit and perseverance.