On the first weekend in February it's finally that time again! The King Ludwig Run will take place in Oberammergau in 2024. Cross-country skiing has long since become a favorite event for everyone involved and is simply part of a successful winter in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park. The locals simply call it the “Luggi Run”, to which the region cordially invites all cross-country skiing enthusiasts and spectators from February 2nd to 4th, 2024.
King Ludwig Run: Traditional run becomes a sporting event
The King Ludwig Run has developed into a real tradition and is mentioned in the same breath as world-famous cultural assets, for example the Oberammergau Passion Play and wood carvings from Oberammergau. The idea for the King Ludwig Run was born at a regulars' table in Oberammergau. The first run took place on March 17, 1968, at that time with a distance of 90 kilometers, which was significantly reduced in the 1980s. At this time, women were also admitted to the King Ludwig Run for the first time.
The König Ludwig Lauf is embedded in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park, which is probably one of the most authentic holiday regions in Bavaria. This unique natural landscape was declared a nature park in 2017. The Ammergau Alps are known for their extensive network of cross-country ski trails. Skiers, snowshoe and ski tourers, tobogganers and everyone who loves winter hikes will also get their money's worth here.
Various races for young and old
Every year, cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities and from different nations meet in Oberammergau to hit the trails together. This is also what sets the König Ludwig Lauf apart. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether they have sporting ambitions or simply want to take part in this great event. It is an event weekend in February in which everyone who is enthusiastic about the sport of cross-country skiing takes part as participants or spectators.
The individual competitions at a glance:
Saturday: 10 and 21 kilometers of skating, start at 9:00 a.m., Ettal starting field
Saturday: 45 kilometers of skating, start at 10:00 a.m., Ettal starting field
Saturday: Children and Minis 4 and 6 kilometers, start at 13:30 p.m., Ettal starting field
26th World Championships in cross-country skiing for doctors and pharmacists on 3/4. February (WMCC)
Sunday: 45 kilometers classic, start 9:00 a.m., starting field Ettal
Sunday: 10 and 21 kilometers classic, start 11:00 a.m., starting field Ettal
For both classic technique and skating, you can choose between three different route lengths, namely 10 kilometers, 21 kilometers and 45 kilometers. The exact maps of the respective routes with important points as well as the food and service stations are on www.koenig-ludwig-lauf.com/imagebox.html published. The longest route in particular is a challenge. Because after around 25 kilometers you climb from the original altitude of 840 meters at the start to over 1000 meters. Once you have reached the top, you have already completed the most difficult part of the cross-country skiing route. After that, it's almost all downhill without any significant inclines to the finish point in Oberammergau. You can find more information about the exact schedule for the 2024 King Ludwig Run at www.koenig-ludwig-lauf.com/Zeitplan_CT.html
Cross-country skiing is undoubtedly one of the healthiest winter sports. That is the reason why the former International Medical Triathlon Association (IMTA) - since 2016 it has been the Triathlon Association of German Doctors and Pharmacists (TVDÄ) - has decided to organize a world championship for doctors and pharmacists in cross-country skiing. Both licensed physicians and licensed pharmacists are eligible to participate in the championship class, and all enrolled medical and pharmacy students are also eligible to participate. There will also be a sports medicine symposium at the Oberammergau Clinic on February 3rd.
King Ludwig Lauf as a tourism magnet
The run quickly gained popularity, partly due to the celebrities who took part. There were such well-known names as the Finn Pauli Siitonnen, who stood out as the father of skating's "Siitonen Stief". Since a lot of runners come from abroad due to its high level of popularity, the King Ludwig Run is also of great tourist importance. Hotels and owners of guest houses, holiday apartments and guest houses as well as farms with rentals recorded around 10.500 overnight stays this weekend in Oberammergau and in the surrounding communities, including Unterammergau, Bad Kohlgrub, Saulgrub, Ettal, Oberau, Eschenlohe and Schwaigen. The region is known for its hospitality, and so every participant and visitor will find the accommodation that suits them best, with the amenities they want and in the price category they prefer.
King Ludwig Run - a major event in community work
It is a challenge to provide perfectly prepared trails for the King Ludwig Run. In addition to ensuring snow, this is also one of the reasons why the routes were shortened in the 1980s. Ultimately, it's about ensuring that the trails are perfectly prepared for every participant from the first to the last kilometer. After all, around 3.600 runners took part in the last run. Volunteers are also at work this year, without whom an event of this magnitude would not be possible. Every year around 400 volunteers come together to put together the King Ludwig Run together with communities, clubs and volunteers. Despite today's technically sophisticated tracking devices, it is an enormous achievement to bring cross-country trails with a length of up to 50 kilometers into the desired condition. In comparison, the trails groomed in the World Cup are just 7 to 10 kilometers long. Some of the helpers come from all over Bavaria, which often leads to real friendships.
You can find all the important information about the King Ludwig Run - eligibility, starting groups, entry fees, registration and late registration - on https://www.koenig-ludwig-lauf.com/Anmeldung_ct.html
And for everyone who wants to find out about the latest equipment, a testival will take place in Ettal on Friday, February 2nd. From 10 a.m. to 16 p.m. it's time to “test, test, test” at the starting field in Ettal before the competitions start on the weekend.