Celebrities and runners compete for climate protection at the Vienna Climate Run!

Celebrities and runners compete for climate protection at the Vienna Climate Run!

The premiere of the Vienna Climate Run will take place in Vienna's Prater on October 11, 2025, with a clear focus on sporting performance and climate protection. The event will start at 10 a.m. and is intended not only for professionals but also for amateur runners. What's special: For every 1.5 kilometers that a participant runs, 1.5 square meters of forest is protected in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, 10 euros per starting place will go to a climate protection project in South Sudan. In total, participants have a maximum of 150 minutes to complete as many rounds as possible. The prominent “Climate Run Ambassadors” include Valerie Huber, Sigrid Stagl, Cesár Sampson, Martin Puntigam and Andreas Vojta.

This innovative event is organized by Stephan Neuberger, an energy manager, who drives the project forward on a voluntary basis with his wife. To encourage the little ones, there will also be a “Bee Happy Run” with a varied supporting program for children. Interested runners should hurry: the registration deadline is October 2, 2025. Further information about participation can be found on the event website: viennaclimaterun.at.

A symbol of climate protection

Wolfgang Pekny, eco-veteran and founder of the Footprint platform, is also actively involved. He is passionate about environmental protection and justice, with a particular focus on preserving the earth for future generations. Pekny calls for actions instead of words and sees the Vienna Climate Run as an ideal opportunity to enjoy fitness and at the same time set a sustainable example for climate protection.

This initiative is part of a larger trend that combines sporting events with an environmentally friendly approach. The Institute for Natural Sports and Ecology has shown that, despite the high social and economic importance of major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and World Cups, significant negative impacts on the environment can also arise. However, the aim is to actively promote environmental and climate protection and minimize the ecological footprint through preventive measures. Sustainable planning is the key to avoiding these conflicts and providing positive impulses for nature.

The Vienna Climate Run is not just a running event, but a clear sign of global awareness and responsibility. As the runners do their laps in the Prater, together they set a strong symbol for climate protection and the importance of sustainable initiatives in our society. One more reason to register for the Vienna Climate Run and become part of this movement. There are further details on this meinkreis.at.