Hello! This time, I ran in the Graz Marathon in Austria, and I’d like to share a report of the experience.
This race is ideal for runners who prefer memories over records, or those who think, “If I’m going to run anyway, I want to enjoy sightseeing too!” But, of course, there were also a few tricky parts… Let’s review from start to finish.
1. Marathon Preparations Starting on Friday
For the Graz Marathon, bib and race-bag pick-up begins on Friday, the day before race day. The distribution site is at a shopping center called “Citypark,” located a little south of the city center.
At the pick-up location, not only are bibs handed out, but official T-shirts and event goods are also on sale—so the event atmosphere is already building. I felt tempted to buy a T-shirt as a souvenir.
Inside the race bag, there were various participation gifts: a raincoat, instant food items, sunscreen, antiperspirant, snacks, powdered sports drink, etc. Many of them are quite practical, which I appreciated.
2. Saturday: Kids’ Event & Trams Running as Usual
On Saturday, the day before the main race, there was a kids’ run and other child-oriented events. Public trams in the city also ran their usual schedules, so access was smooth.
The “Oper” tram stop in the city center is the hub for many of the race events, so taking the tram made it easy to reach the venue.
3. Race Day Sunday — Of All Things, Public Transport Stops!?
Finally, the big day: Sunday. Here’s the surprise: all public transport in the city center was halted! Instead, an emergency “E-Line” tram route was supposed to be in operation—but frankly, it hardly appeared. I heard it was meant to run every 10 minutes, but I waited over 20 minutes without seeing it.
In the end, many people gave up waiting and walked to the race venue. I walked from Graz Hauptbahnhof (main train station) to the Opera (Oper) area. The mood was such that nobody seemed to expect public transport to function. (I couldn’t help but laugh a little.)
On the main arterial route between Hauptbahnhof (train station) and Jakominiplatz, near the Kunsthaus, the road was blocked for the race, so trams were suspended during the event. They resumed after the race in the afternoon.
4. Before the Start — Already “People, People, People!”
When I arrived at the venue, it was insanely crowded! Runners were spilling far beyond the road into the front plaza. You couldn’t even see the start line or really join a queue.
Still, the atmosphere was electric — a DJ was playing, people were holding beers, and it felt like a festival. It pumped up the energy before running had even begun.
5. The Course Map Looks Complex — But in Practice, It’s Simple
Glancing at the official map, the course seemed quite twisty and made me doubt whether I’d be able to follow it well.
However, once running, I found there was only one turning point — otherwise the route basically went straight. For runners in distances shorter than the full marathon, simply following signs marked “Ziel” (Finish) was enough to reach the goal without confusion. Overall, far less intimidating than it looked on the map.
6. The Half Marathon Is the Most Popular — Three-Grade Start System
Among participants, the half marathon was the most common event. For this edition, start groups were divided into three tiers based on self-declared running speed.
A caveat: if you register late, the early (faster) start groups may already be filled, meaning you could be forced to start from the back group regardless of your ability. So if you want to start nearer the front, early registration is essential.
7. And We’re Off! …But It’s Hard to Run at First
Although the official start time is 9:00, in actuality the race often begins a few minutes behind schedule.
During the first ~5 minutes, it’s almost impossible to run properly due to the crowd. That said, that’s typical of many big races. The streets on the course are also relatively narrow. Graz is a compact city, and the roads can feel tight even in a car, so on foot it’s understandable.
However — the upside — the route passes by landmarks like Schlossberg and Hauptplatz (main square). Running through them is a rare and wonderful experience. Also, the course is mostly flat, making it accessible even to beginner runners.
8. Hydration Stations Are Excellent — Organized and Impressive
At the hydration / refreshment points, they offered sports drinks, cola, bananas, water, etc. Compared to other races, it felt quite well stocked. What impressed me most was the lack of chaos — things were organized and calm. The cola tasted especially delicious (when you’re tired, it really hits the spot).
9. Post-Finish Enjoyment: Apple, Medal, Snacks, and More
The finish zone is at the same location as the start — in front of the Opera (Oper). After finishing, runners were offered bananas, cola, water, sports drinks, and apples. You also receive a finisher medal.
There was a service to engrave your name on the medal on the spot. Also, booths from various companies gave out free snacks (breads, pies), so you could continue enjoying the post-race atmosphere. However, pies were first-come, first-served — in some cases, runners in the half marathon (i.e. later finishers) might not get them.
10. You Can Check Your Result Immediately
You can check your result right away by scanning the QR code printed on your bib. That’s really convenient.
Summary: A Marathon to Enjoy While Sightseeing! (…But Not Ideal for Record Chasers)
The Graz Marathon is flat and beginner-friendly, but its unique appeal lies in the fact that you can run through the city’s attractions — a true “tourism marathon.”
On the other hand, because the streets are narrow and the number of participants high, there is a lot of congestion, which makes it less suitable for those aiming for a personal best.
Still — if you view a marathon as part of your travel experience, I highly recommend this one. If you ever get the chance, try running in Graz, Austria!
コメント