The seed to complete the entire Ries-Panoramaweg in one day was planted in me when I first heard about it a couple of years ago. Having just started running, I knew the trail was still way out of my league. But I also always knew I’d do it one day.
Eventually, that day came. I still felt wildly underprepared, but it was one of the only days I could fit into my schedule. And let’s be honest: can one ever really feel prepared for something like this?
Because everything came together a little last-minute, I had a beautifully chaotic experience. From getting lost multiple times in the middle of the night, to never quite knowing when or where someone would be waiting for me, to both my watch and phone simultaneously dying just after the 100k mark.
Despite all of this, I had such a lovely experience and found a new appreciation for the place I’ve called home for the past 20 years. Having grown up in Nördlingen, right in the heart of the Ries crater, this trail holds a special place in my heart. The time and miles flew by as I passed through countless places associated with some of my fondest childhood memories.
I started at midnight, with my youngest sister Lina and my longtime friend Ella accompanying me for the first two and a half hours. In retrospect, they probably picked the most difficult part of the entire trail to join me for. Lots of overgrown forest paths, constant rolling hills, and, of course, limited visibility made for a bit of a challenging start.
Right after they left, the trail mostly turned into a mix of paved and gravel roads. The night was surprisingly peaceful, and I was glad I barely had to run through any dark forests alone. At times I was even able to turn off my headlight, using only the glow of the almost-full moon to guide me. My legs felt fresh, and I enjoyed the quiet morning hours.
I saw a beautiful sunrise near Rossfeld, and shortly afterwards heard a car approaching. It was my mom, with warm porridge and homemade cake. Perfect breakfast. And perfect timing, too! It was actually a coincidence that we both reached the crossing at the same time. She wasn’t even sure I’d come by there. A quick water refill, a change of my soaking-wet socks and shoes, and I was off again.
The miles flew by. I honestly felt amazing for the first two-thirds. It was basically like one huge picnic the entire time, haha.
I came through Ehingen, where my great-grandma had lived and where we used to come sledding in the winters. Just after that, the trail passes the Antonius-Kapelle. I didn't know it yet, but the next day, I’d be coming here on the Bulldog to help with the corn harvest.
Just before the climb up to Blasienberg, I saw my mom’s car again. She and Lina had come with pasta, squash soup, and, most importantly, another change of dry socks and shoes. Shortly after the stunning panoramic view of the crater from Blasienberg, my friend since kindergarten, Karla, joined me on her bike for a couple of kilometres. Even my dad came through. Despite being busy with the corn harvest, he suddenly showed up on the trail behind us in his bike with an unexpected but much-needed delivery of water. In Utzmemmingen, we saw Ella again. She’d brought homegrown dried plums, a hug, and encouraging words. Karla and I soldiered onwards, up Riegelberg, until we reached the Offnethöhlen, where our ways parted again.
I knew the upcoming section quite well, having run and cycled here many times in the past. Everything was still going well - until my watch spontaneously dropped from 1 hour of battery life to 1%.
I just so managed to call my mom before my phone also gave out.
I hit a low point.
I sat down in the grass, took off my shoes, and cried a little. I wasn’t sure if my watch had managed to save the data before turning itself off. What if it was all gone?
The fifteen minutes until I could hear my mom’s car engine again felt like an eternity.
I was able to charge my devices, swap out the broken power bank, and change my clothes. And I also wasn't alone anymore. My big sister Hannah (who first got me into running on day one, so shoutout to her) had come with and would join me for the remaining half marathon. We chatted our way through Burgruine Niederhaus and some lovely forest trails, before Lina joined us again for the final stretch of roughly nine kilometres.
As per usual, my watch kept lying about how much elevation we had left, haha. But the mood was lifted again, and the finish line was finally in sight (or rather in thought).
After 19 hours, I saw the pinnacles of Burg Harburg again.
After 19 hours and ten minutes, I saw the car park.
No other than my wonderful mom, who had been crewing amazingly all day, was waiting for us again, confetti in her hand and food in the car.
I did it.
We did it.
I never could have done it alone.
Thank you to everybody who accompanied me, crewed for me, brought me food and water, cheered me on, or simply believed I could do it.