King Ludwig Run

LOGO King Ludwig Lauf

The König-Ludwig-Lauf , founded in 1968, is the largest popular cross-country ski run in Germany and is held near Oberammergau and Ettal in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park. It is part of the Worldloppet series, the cross-country skiing marathon cup and the Germany classic. From 2011 to 2016 he was part of the Ski Classics race series . In 2019 a sprint (King Ludwig SuperSprint) was carried out for the first time over the distance of 100 m, in which the world record over 100 m was set by Emanuele Becchis with a time of 10.78 seconds.

Since 2018, the König Ludwig Trail has also been held in October, starting in Ettal and ending in Oberammergau.

organization

The start takes place on the first weekend in February in Ettal , the goal is the Oberammergau sports center. There are routes over 50 km and 23 km each in classic (Sunday) and skating technique (Saturday) as well as the so-called “Mini Kini” over 5 km for children between 6 and 14 years. In addition, the world championship in cross-country skiing for doctors and pharmacists over 23 and 50 km takes place. The traditional long route leads from the start in Ettal through the Graswang valley directly past Linderhof Castle and back through the Graswang valley to the destination in Oberammergau. In recent years, due to lack of snow, a shortened route often had to be run that did not go past Linderhof Palace.

The total number of participants is over 4000 people.

The 39th König Ludwig Run in 2011 attracted such great media interest that the classic 50 km run was broadcast live on television and the Internet for the first time on Sunday.

The 42nd König-Ludwig-Lauf in 2014 was broadcast in full length for the first time by the sports broadcaster Eurosport on the following Monday, which means that the run was broadcast nationwide on television in Germany.

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  Starting field König Ludwig Lauf

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  Runners passing Linderhof Palace

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  Starting field

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  King Ludwig SuperSprint

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  Ettal Abbey

Results

Winner (long distance, classic technique)

year	Distance (km)	Winner gentlemen	nation	time		Winner women	nation	time
2020	failed
2019	50	Morten Eide Pedersen	Norway	02: 28: 18.9		Lina Korsgren	Sweden	02: 29: 18.2
2018	44	Goals Bjørseth Berdal	Norway	01: 55: 15.3		Aurélie Dabudyk -2-	France	02: 00: 59.7
2017	38	Max Olex	Germany	01: 26: 20.6		Aurélie Dabudyk	France	01: 36: 34.4
2016	failed
2015	46	Petter Eliassen	Norway	01: 59: 42.9		Britta Johansson Norgren	Sweden	02: 16: 28.6
2014	46	Johan Kjølstad	Norway	01: 57: 58.3		Seraina Boner -2-	Switzerland	02: 07: 42.2
2013	42	Jerry Ahrlin -2-	Sweden	01: 51: 14.1		Seraina Boner	Switzerland	01: 58: 14.8
2012	50	Stanislav Řezáč -6-	Czech Republic	02: 16: 35.5		Susanne Nyström	Sweden	02: 36: 18.2
2011	42	Jerry Ahrlin	Sweden	01: 38: 56.9		Sandra Hansson	Sweden	01: 50: 23.5
2010	42	Aukland is different	Norway	01: 44: 13.4		Suvi Karjaluoto	Finland	02: 10: 12.2
2009	50	Stanislav Řezáč -5-	Czech Republic	01: 59: 42.7		Jenny Hansson	Sweden	02: 15: 44.8
2008	42	Daniel Tynell -2-	Sweden	01: 32: 03.8		Elin Ek -2-	Sweden	01: 44: 26.0
2007	40	Daniel Tynell	Sweden	01: 24: 49.4		Elin Ek	Sweden	01: 35: 54.0
2006	50	Stanislav Řezáč -4-	Czech Republic	02: 18: 35.9		Ine Wigernæs	Norway	02: 36: 55.5
2005	50	Stanislav Řezáč -3-	Czech Republic	02: 18: 01.2		Cristina Paluselli -2-	Italy	02: 41: 59.3
2004	50	Stanislav Řezáč -2-	Czech Republic	02: 01: 16.9		Cristina Paluselli	Italy	02: 15: 36.0
2003	49	Jørgen Aukland	Norway	02: 05: 32.8		Lara Peyrot	Italy	02: 11: 56.0
2002	failed
2001	46	Christian Baldauf	Austria	02: 12: 55.7		Ramona Roth	Germany	02: 24: 07.9
2000	51	Stanislav Řezáč	Czech Republic	02: 01: 12.1		Svetlana Nagejkina	Russia	02: 20: 28.0
1999	45	Mikael Ostberg	Sweden	02: 10: 05.0		Dorota Dziadkowiec	Poland	02: 24: 45.0
1998	55	Staffan Larsson	Sweden	02: 19: 05.1		Elena Grigoreva	Russia	02: 49: 50.0
1997	55	Martin Petrásek	Czech Republic	02: 09: 42.9		Sigrid Wille	Germany	02: 23: 13.0
1996	58	Håkan Westin -2-	Sweden	02: 26: 56.9		Gudrun Pflüger	Austria	02: 53: 50.1
1995	55	Håkan Westin	Sweden	01: 58: 42.6		Lucie Bucharova	Czech Republic	02: 30: 14.0
1994	47	Alec Vanek -2-	Czech Republic	01: 53: 38.5		Maria Theurl	Austria	02: 10: 58.0
1993	55	Alec Vanek	Czech Republic	02: 04: 14.2		Nataly Tschernych	Russia	02: 31: 01.0
1992	53	Erik Hansson	Sweden	02: 02: 32.2		Sisko Kainulainen -5-	Finland	02: 31: 30.0
1991	53	Ladislav Švanda	Czechoslovakia	02: 07: 06.2		Vida Ventsene	Lithuania	02: 32: 58.0
1990	failed
1989	50	Blomquist is different	Sweden	01: 58: 45.4		Sisko Kainulainen -4-	Finland	02: 19: 28.0
1988	65	Konrad Hallenbarter -2-	Switzerland	02: 58: 47.0		Christina Gill	Switzerland	03: 26: 03.0
1987	65	Bengt chassis -2-	Sweden	02: 35: 39.1		Annerose Rees	Germany	03: 31: 53.0
1986	50	Konrad Hallenbarter	Switzerland	01: 55: 05.0		Sisko Kainulainen -3-	Finland	02: 14: 41.0
1985	failed
1984	65	Bengt Hassis	Sweden	02: 36: 03.0		Sisko Kainulainen -2-	Finland	03: 04: 58.0
1983	70	Per knot -2-	Norway	03: 36: 39.0		Sisko Kainulainen	Finland	03: 55: 33.0
1982	90	Lars Frykberg	Sweden	04: 12: 28.0		Kathrin Glasl -2-	Germany	05: 43: 29.0
1981	90	7 runners out at the same time	5 nations			Kathrin Glasl	Germany	05: 36: 24.0
1980	90	Per knot	Norway	05: 27: 38.0		Gerda Kunz	Austria	06: 07: 15.0
1979	90	Pauli Siitonen -5-	Finland	03: 39: 20.0
1978	90	Pauli Siitonen -4-	Finland	04: 36: 31.0
1977	73	Pauli Siitonen -3-	Finland	03: 13: 22.0
1976	90	Pauli Siitonen -2-	Finland	04: 05: 06.0
1975	failed
1974	90	Pauli Siitonen	Finland	04: 05: 06.0
1973	90	Heinrich Simon -2-	Germany	04: 53: 59.0
1972	failed
1971	90	Robert Eiermann	Germany	05: 18: 01.0
1970	90	Heinrich Simon	Germany	05: 01: 00.0
1969	88	Arthur Bodenmüller	Germany	04: 12: 33.0
1968	83	Klaus Niedermeier	Germany	06: 26: 04.0

Winner (Long Distance, Free Technique)

year	Distance (km)	Winner gentlemen	nation	time		Winner women	nation	time
2019	50	Adrien Backscheider	France	02: 07: 19.1		Svenja Hölzle	Switzerland	02: 39: 42.0
2018	42	Michael Willeitner	Germany	01: 42: 34.9		Sigrid Mutscheller -4-	Germany	01: 53: 50.3
2017	38	Tobias Rath	Germany	01: 23: 30.3		Jessica Mueller	Germany	01: 30: 17.3
2016	failed
2015	46	Jiri Rocarek -2-	Czech Republic	01: 56: 20.1		Sigrid Mutscheller -3-	Germany	02: 11: 26.2
2014	50	Goals Martin Gundersen	Norway	01: 44: 31.9		Antonella Confortola	Italy	01: 55: 11.4
2013	failed
2012	50	Jiri Rocarek	Czech Republic	02:15:29		Sigrid Mutscheller -2-	Germany	02:36:27
2011	42	Thomas Freimuth -2-	Germany	01: 33: 24.6		Sigrid Mutscheller	Germany	01: 43: 00.2
2010	42	Vadim Nesterov	Russia	01: 43: 05.9		Barbara Haesch	Switzerland	01: 59: 39.6
2009	50	Marcus Enders	Germany	01: 56: 11.1		Pia Sundstedt	Finland	02: 13: 01.2
2008	42	Tom Reichelt	Germany	01: 38: 36.0		Stefanie Meyr -4-	Germany	01: 54: 27.8
2007	40	Thomas Freimuth	Germany	01: 31: 48.6		Stefanie Meyr -3-	Germany	01: 49: 25.9
2006	50	Christian Eberharter	Austria	02: 05: 41.2		Stefanie Meyr -2-	Germany	02: 25: 28.3
2005	50	Christian Seeger	Germany	02: 12: 17.5		Katharina Echter	Germany	02: 43: 28.8
2004	50	Patrick Roelli	Switzerland	01: 51: 09.7		Barbara Häsch	Germany	02: 11: 52.1
2003	49	André Blatter	Switzerland	01: 55: 57.7		Stefanie Meyr	Germany	02: 12: 15.7
2002	failed
2001	46
2000	51
1999	55	Johann Mühlegg	Germany	02: 25: 59.8		Carina Modén	Sweden	02: 52: 13.4

Overview of the individual runs

1st run 1968 (83 km)

The König-Ludwig-Lauf - back then still Bavarian cross-country skiing "In King Ludwig's footsteps" - is founded by the ski department of TSV Oberammergau. The first run took place on March 17, 1968. There was a 45 km and a 90 km (double lap) route. At that time, Forest Director Dr. Alfred Artmann made a decisive contribution to the success of the first "König Ludwig Run". The start is at the sports field in Ettal and the finish is at the "Frauenwasserl" in Ettaler Weidmoos. Women were not allowed to participate over 90 km. There is an age group classification for both running routes. The snow depth is almost 2 meters. The first run had a total of 796 participants.

2nd run 1969 (88 km)

On March 9, 1969, the 2nd König-Ludwig-Lauf took place. The cross-country skiing trail has been improved and the finish line is now at the entrance to Oberammergau at the “Linderhofer Bridge”. Participants in total 871

3rd run 1970 (90 km)

On March 8, 1970, the 3rd King Ludwig Run took place. The trail guidance as well as the start and finish remain unchanged. Participants in total 1130.

4th run 1971 (90 km)

The 4th King Ludwig Run took place on March 14, 1971. For the first time there is also a 20 km run for “young men” and women. The first Norwegian takes part. Participants in total 1383.

1972 canceled

The run has to be canceled due to lack of snow. There is also no way to run the run in a shortened form. At the state border to Tyrol at Linderhof Castle , a small cross-country ski run will be created for training because participants have arrived despite the timely cancellation.

5th run 1973 (90 km)

The 5th King Ludwig Run took place on March 11, 1973. For the first time, participants from Italy are taking part. Participants in total 1548.

6th run 1974 (90 km)

With the establishment of the “Alpentris”, more than 2000 runners are at the start for the first time, including Pauli Siitonen from Finland and over 300 foreign runners. The Bavarian riot police help on site. Italy has the largest foreign contingent. The Sporthaus Schuster , Fischer Ski and the Münchner Abendzeitung join the König-Ludwig-Lauf as sponsors.

The "Alpentris", founded in the previous year, will be held for the first time. The "Alpentris" is an amalgamation of the Dolomitenlauf (Austria), the Marcialonga (Italy) and the König-Ludwig-Lauf (Germany).

1975 canceled

The run had to be canceled due to lack of snow. Cross-country skiing manager Hermann Biermeier does not see himself in a position to create a shortened alternative track. The remaining snow is not enough to carry out the König-Ludwig-Lauf. The second Executive Fritz Lang, who is the Vasaloppet is staying in Sweden is agreed to announce the cancellation of the start of the Vasalaufes over loudspeakers.

7th run 1976 (90 km)

The run will take place for the first time in February. The new trail leads from the start in Ettal via Linderhof, Graswang, Oberammergau, Unterammergau, Altenau, Unternogg to Wildsteig and back to Oberammergau to the finish.

The newly founded “Euroloppet” is now added to the already existing “Alpentris”. The Finlandia Hiihto (Finland) and the world-famous Vasalauf (Sweden) join the already existing "Alpentris". Over 50 Scandinavians are taking part in the König-Ludwig-Lauf for the first time. Over 100 runners from Italy take part. Participants in total 2117.

8th run 1977 (73 km)

An eventful year for the König-Ludwig-Lauf. For the first time, the run will take place over two days. On Saturday, February 12, 1977 over 10 km and 20 km and on Sunday, February 13, 1977 over 45 km and 73 km. The two short routes are offered as a family run and are well received. Since it was a winter with little snow, the run is shortened to 73 km.

In the Hotel "Alte Post", Hans Reicherl is elected to the first board of directors (he has held this post to this day (2012)). At the request of Hans Reicherl, the König-Ludwig-Lauf becomes a separate department of TSV Oberammergau.

9th run 1978 (90 km)

The 9th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 4th and 5th, 1978. The snow conditions are good. The organizer and everyone involved are very satisfied with the organization. Participants in total 2497.

The founding of "Worldloppet" by Tony Wise at a special session in Hayward in the USA is of great importance. In addition to the 5 races already combined in the “Euroloppet”, there are also the Gatineau 55 (Canada), the American Birkerbeiner (United States of America), the Engadin Skimarathon (Switzerland) and the Birkebeiner Rennet (Norway).

10th run 1979 (90 km)

On February 3rd and 4th 1979 the 10th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place. Runners from 23 nations take part. The welcoming ceremony takes place at the Passion Play Theater in Oberammergau. In honor of “Worldloppet”, a torchlight procession with musical accompaniment passes through the town.

The Transjurassienne (France) is accepted at the annual “Worldloppet” meeting in Ottawa (Canada). The “Worldloppet Series” now includes 10 runs.

11th run 1980 (90 km)

The 11th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 2nd and 3rd, 1980. For the first time women are allowed to start over 90 km. The sound barrier of over 3000 participants is broken.

12th run 1981 (90 km)

On January 31st and February 1st, 1981, the 12th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place. There are very good snow conditions and picture-perfect weather. A top group of 7 from 5 nations will be evaluated by the FIS at the same time. If officials are careless, the leading group is put on the wrong track. Participants in total 3300.

13th run 1982 (90 km)

The 13th King Ludwig Run took place on February 6th and 7th, 1982. Runners from Japan are taking part for the first time. The city of Sapporo donates a free flight to Japan. When the nations are welcomed in front of the Passion Play Theater in Oberammergau, representatives of all Worldlop runs are present. Participants in total 3450.

14th run 1983 (70 km)

The 14th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 5th and 6th, 1983. Due to the lack of snow, the run has to be shortened to 70 km. Participants in total 3700.

15th run 1984 (65 km)

The 15th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 4th and 5th, 1984. From now on there is no longer a 90 km run, but a 65 km trail. The 45 km run will be shortened to 30 km and the 10 km and 20 km run will be merged into a 15 km run. The turn of the 65 km run is now Unternogg.

The “Erik Pihkala Medal” donated by the city of Laahti in Finland is awarded to the König-Ludwig-Lauf. So far, this medal has only been awarded to the Vasalauf (Sweden) for its pioneering role in cross-country skiing.

1985 canceled

The run had to be canceled because temperatures of 25 degrees below zero made the ground freeze. A sudden change in weather brought days of rain that could no longer run off. Huge expanses of water formed, which destroyed large parts of the trail. Already at the Marcialonga, which took place eight days before, attention was drawn to a possible cancellation.

16th run 1986 (50 km)

The 16th King Ludwig Run took place on February 1 and 2, 1986. A week before the run there was a strong foehn, which hit the trails a lot. A large number of volunteers from Oberammergau, the neighboring towns and the Bundeswehr worked around the clock. Under the direction of the cross-country ski run boss Herrmann Biermeier, a 25 km cross-country ski run was created which had to be run twice. In the night from Saturday to Sunday it was very cold, so that there was a good cross-country ski run in the morning.

17th run 1987 (65 km)

On January 31st and February 1st the 17th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place. No snow problems and participants from 22 nations. Unfortunately there was a decrease in the number of participants. The trail was in excellent condition and the Swedish winner Bengt Hassis described the "König Ludwig trail" as one of the most beautiful in Europe.

18th run 1988 (65 km)

The 18th King Ludwig Run took place on March 5th and 6th. Since there is no snow on the actual running weekend (February 6th and 7th), the König-Ludwig-Lauf will be moved to the first weekend in March after consultation with the partner runs. Although there is enough snow on the new run date and the original route can be run, there have been many cancellations because the Vasa run takes place in Sweden on the same weekend. Participants in total 1260.

19th run 1989 (50 km)

The 19th King Ludwig Run took place on February 4th and 5th. The Dolomite Run and the Marcialonga were canceled due to a lack of snow. Lack of snow even with us, no chance to walk to Unterammergau and Unternogg. There is a double round in the Graswangtal with the goal in Oberammergau at the youth hostel. The THW is building a footbridge over the Ammer to the sports field. Over 3000 m³ of old snow are moved. Nestle and Chiquitta appear as new sponsors for the first time. Participants in total 2471.

1990 canceled

Acute lack of snow in Oberammergau. No rating at Alpentris and Euroloppet. The run has to be canceled as well as the Dolomitenlauf, the Marcialonga, the Transjurassienne and the Vasalauf.

Due to the fall of the Berlin Wall , there are many reports from the former GDR and Czechoslovakia. Despite early cancellations, many runners arrive from East Germany, who were fed and accommodated free of charge. Many inquiries also from Russia, but there were problems with obtaining a visa

20th run 1991 (53 km)

The 20th King Ludwig Run took place on February 2nd and 3rd. Once again, not too much snow. Therefore, the finish line must be moved to the center of the village. The golf crisis is making itself felt in participant reports from overseas. The longstanding board member and co-founder of the König-Ludwig-Lauf, Fritz Lang, dies after a long illness. The Kangaroo Hoppet in Australia becomes a member of the Worldloppet. In the future, it will be held at the end of August, making it the first race in the Worldloppet racing series. Oberammergau will take over the Worldloppet general secretariat from the Vasalauf in Sweden for three years. Participants in total 2200.

21st run 1992 (53 km)

On February 1st and 2nd the 21st König-Ludwig-Lauf took place. Participants in total 2415.

22nd run 1993 (55 km)

The 22nd König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 6th and 7th. The sponsors Telecom, Nesfit and Chiquitta are withdrawing from the run. Participants in total 2500.

23rd run 1994 (47 km)

On February 5th and 6th the 23rd King Ludwig Run took place. The route has to be shortened due to the lack of snow. The Dolomitenlauf is canceled. At the Worldloppet annual meeting in Lillehammer, the Tartu Maraton in Estonia is included in the Worldloppet racing series. Participants in total 2600.

24th run 1995 (55 km)

The 24th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 3rd and 4th. Runners from 26 nations take part. For the first time, the world championship for doctors and pharmacists will be held over 55 km. The Wolfra can be obtained for the inaugural "Mini-Kini" as a sponsor. Participants in total 2500.

25th run 1996 (58 km)

The 25th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 3rd and 4th. Despite difficult visa procurement, more Russians are taking part. Participants in total 2600.

26th run 1997 (55 km)

The 26th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 1st and 2nd. The 3rd world championship of doctors and pharmacists starts now and the name World Medical Cross Country over 55 km in free technique. Participants in total 2750.

The König-Ludwig-Lauf separates itself as a department from TSV Oberammergau and from July 4th 1997 is an association registered in the association register. The election of the board confirms the previous board.

27th run 1998 (55 km)

The 27th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on January 31st and February 1st. The Worldloppet general secretariat will be handed over to Estonia after 8 years. Participants in total 2550.

28th run 1999 (45 km)

The 28th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 6th and 7th. The lack of snow makes it necessary to shorten the trail. Participants in total 2650.

29th run 2000 (51 km)

The 29th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 5th and 6th. The snow conditions are good. the cross-country skiing marathon cup is founded by the FIS. The Czech Jizerska Padesatka will be included in the Worldloppet racing series. Over 200 children take part in the "Mini-Kini". Participants in total 2800.

30th run 2001 (46 km)

The 30th König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 3rd and 4th. The run over the long distance had to be shortened. Start and finish are in Ettal. The patron of the run was the Bavarian Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber . Participants in total 2650.

2002 canceled

The König-Ludwig-Lauf was canceled due to lack of snow.

42nd run 2014 (46 km)

The 42nd König-Ludwig-Lauf took place on February 1st and 2nd. Missing snowfalls endanger the run. A favorable weather forecast with further snowfalls and falling temperatures made the decision to go ahead. The actual destination in Oberammergau could not be started. The start and finish was planned in Ettal. The run over the long distance was conducted over a double lap with a total of 46 km. There were 4200 participants.

Web links

Commons : König-Ludwig-Lauf  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Homepage of the König-Ludwig-Lauf
• Homepage of Ski Classics with video of the route and results