Taking a Stand for the Environment at the First Vienna Climate Run
In just over a month, the time will finally come—on October 11, 2025, I will be at the starting line representing akaryon for the first Vienna Climate Run.
“It is important to me to show through my commitment that every one of us can make a contribution.”
The organizers’ vision is to host Europe’s largest benefit run for climate protection. Participants have 150 minutes each to complete laps in Vienna’s Prater park with a sustainable goal in mind: for every 1.5 km run, 1.5 m² of forest area will be protected.
akaryon, with its ESG-Cockpit, is not only a sponsoring partner of the Vienna Climate Run, but is also fielding its own running team. According to the plan, this team includes myself as well as our two Natalias, Natalia Shirov Alvarez and Natalia Raciborska, Vanessa Bierbacher, and Mitch van der Linde, who will share their own event preparations in upcoming blog posts.
Longest Planned Run to Date
Why I Am Participating in the Vienna Climate Run
I used to run frequently and enjoyed it very much. As a member of the Kapfenberg sports club, I was very active in running during my elementary and middle school years. Recently, I rediscovered this passion for running while participating in the Bruck Business Run.
Climate protection is a particularly strong motivator for me at the Vienna Climate Run: It is important to me to demonstrate through my involvement that everyone can contribute, whether through awareness, making changes in daily life, or collective action like this run.
Furthermore, I draw motivation from the event’s charitable purpose and the fact that this is my first time participating in a charity event—and my first marathon-like run.
Personal Running Goal
My goal is to approach the two and a half hours at a steady pace and finish the run. I am not projecting a specific number of laps or kilometers yet due to a lack of benchmark data from previous endurance events, but I am confident I can make a valuable contribution.
My Essentials for Getting Through the Event
Training and a conscious distribution of my energy—meaning a good sense of my own abilities and pace. The Vienna Climate Run will be the longest run I have ever attempted. Therefore, it is about discovering my capacity for long distances and endurance and applying it intentionally.
Personally, I find October to be a very pleasant time for running, as oppressive heat is unlikely to be an issue. In my opinion, the final result will depend heavily on the weather, and I hope it doesn’t rain. Regardless, I will be prepared with long-sleeved athletic wear just in case.
When running, I prefer to travel light. I plan to check in advance if there are aid stations and use them. If not, I have arranged for a friend along the route to hand me supplies (granola bars, banana slices, water), keeping the run pleasant and uncomplicated for me.