50 years of New Year's Eve in Kaufungen: A run full of surprises!

On December 31, 2024, the 50th New Year's Run took place in Kaufungen, in which a record number of 1,330 runners and walkers was recorded. This joyful occasion was organized by LG Kaufungen and represents a remarkable anniversary for the event.

The first New Year's Eve run was held with around 400 participants in 1973, at the time at temperatures around freezing. Jürgen Christmann, a long -time organizer of the event, keeps the handwritten registration list from 1973, which documents the roots of today's run. The electronic time recording was first introduced in 2004 to precisely record the results of the participants.

special features of the event

A highlight this year was the appearance of the Marathon department of the KSV Baunatal, which appeared as a "green caterpillar". Sandra Walter, who is responsible for the caterpillar, announced that it would run as a butterfly next year. A remarkable sight was also presented with the participation of the Kaufungen volunteer fire brigade, which was launched for the first time in full operational gear.

In addition, 22 members of the Ski Department of TSV Heiligenrode were present to celebrate the diverse participation. Klaus-Peter Tröbs, a former marathon runner, has participated in the run continuously since 1997. The young female runners of the TSV meanwhile expressed the desire for more running and less, which enriched the atmosphere of the event in a thoughtful way.

Alternatively, the first virtual New Year's Eve run of LG Kaufungen e.V. took place in 2020, which was carried out from December 25th to 31st. Participants had the opportunity to run the classic New Year's Eve run or distances of 800 meters, 1,600 meters or 7.7 kilometers on self -selected routes. This event took place, taking distance rules into account and made it possible to take part.

The audience on the original route wished each other a "happy new year", while sparkling wine, punch, cake and cookies were distributed from the trunk of the cars. The results of the 7.7 kilometer route showed a variety of talents and participants, with Alexander Kellner with 28:37 minutes the 3rd place in the overall ranking, followed by Roland Schröder with 30:21 minutes, which reached the 6th place.

These events show the important tradition and the community that the New Year's run in Kaufungen, both in physical and virtual form.