QTuristiq

🇮🇳✨ Final hours in New Delhi | 22 February 2026

After crossing the finish line, Marius and I explored New Delhi together, visiting the iconic India Gate—the 42-meter-high war memorial built in 1931 to honor more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. It was a fitting place to reflect after an unforgettable race.

Later, Marius returned to his hotel, while I continued exploring the city on my own before my evening flight to Hong Kong. I stopped for a delicious masala dosa—a crispy South Indian crêpe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with spiced potatoes and served with coconut chutney and sambar. Since it wasn't my first visit to India, I already knew I loved dosa and couldn't leave without having one again.

To finish the meal, I treated myself to gulab jamun—soft milk-based dumplings soaked in fragrant sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and rose water. One of my favorite Indian desserts and the perfect sweet ending to my short stay.

With great food, unforgettable memories, and another country explored through running, I headed back to the airport for my flight to Hong Kong.

🇮🇳🏃 New Delhi Half Marathon | 22 February 2026

What was supposed to be just a long layover turned into another racing adventure.

After booking my flights from Germany to Hong Kong, I noticed I had a 22-hour stopover in New Delhi. While searching for things to do, I discovered that the New Delhi Half Marathon was taking place that very weekend. The decision was easy—I signed up.

Marius, a fellow runner from Poland, kindly collected my race bib the day before. After landing in Delhi shortly after midnight following more than eight hours in the air, I took an Uber to meet him. From there, we headed together to the starting line, where my Indian running adventure began despite the travel fatigue and jet lag.

🏃 21.17 km
⏱️ 1:34:16
⚡ Pace: 4:27/km
⛰️ Elevation gain: 19 m
❤️ Average HR: 174 bpm

After the race, Marius and I explored some of New Delhi's most iconic sights, discovering the city's history, architecture, vibrant streets, and incredible atmosphere before I continued my journey to Hong Kong.

Sometimes the best adventures aren't planned months ahead—they begin with spotting a race after you've already booked your flights.

❄️🏃 Winter Adventures | January–February 2026

The first weeks of 2026 were all about embracing winter—long runs, frozen mornings, peaceful lakeshores, and countless kilometers through Bavaria.

One of the highlights was the traditional Dreikönigstour (Three Kings Tour), a complete circuit of Starnberger See. Covering 50.07 km in 4:46:47 at a 5:44/km pace, it became my second-fastest 50K ever and a perfect way to build endurance for the season ahead.

Starnberger See, Bavaria's second-largest lake, stretches over 20 km and is famous for its crystal-clear water, Alpine views, and its connection to King Ludwig II, who mysteriously died near its shores in 1886. Running around the lake offers constantly changing scenery, charming villages, forests, promenades, and panoramic mountain views on clear winter days.

The Dreikönigstour follows the long-standing Manni Kager Memorial March route, a popular endurance challenge traditionally completed on Epiphany (6 January) by hikers and runners alike.

🏃 50.07 km
⏱️ 4:46:47
⚡ 5:44/km
⛰️ 294 m elevation gain
🥈 My 2nd fastest 50K

The rest of January and February were filled with easy runs, winter training sessions, visits to beautiful places around Bavaria, and plenty of photo-worthy moments—from frosty mornings and colorful sunsets to quiet forests and lakeside paths. Sometimes the best memories aren't made in races, but during the everyday kilometers that quietly prepare you for the next big adventure.

Every run added another page to the story of 2026.

❄️🏃 First Marathon of 2026 | Forggensee & Füssen

The first day of the new year deserved something special—a marathon through one of Bavaria's most beautiful winter landscapes.

Starting from Füssen, I followed the shores of Forggensee, enjoying peaceful trails, crisp mountain air, and unforgettable views of Neuschwanstein Castle rising above the snow-covered forests. The lake, created in the 1950s by damming the L**h River, is Bavaria's largest reservoir and offers spectacular Alpine scenery in every season.

With no race bib, no finish line, and no crowds, this was simply about beginning 2026 the way I love most: one step after another. As I approached marathon distance, I headed to the local athletics stadium and completed the final laps needed to reach the classic 42.195 km—finishing with a total of 42.50 km.

🏃 42.50 km
⏱️ 4:16
⚡ Pace: 6:02/km

From a fairy-tale castle on New Year's Eve to a marathon on New Year's Day, Füssen delivered the perfect start to 2026.

May this year bring more mountains, more trails, and many unforgettable adventures.

🏰✨ Last Hours of 2025 in Füssen

I spent the final hours of 2025 on the move, completing a scenic 20.26 km run from Füssen to Neuschwanstein Castle and back.

Along the way, I discovered beautiful glass art installations near the castle, adding another unexpected highlight to an already magical evening. With the fairy-tale castle illuminated above the forest and colorful glass sculptures reflecting the lights, the atmosphere felt straight out of a storybook.

Back in Füssen's historic center, the illuminated Hohes Schloss became the stage for a few funny poses and one last set of New Year's Eve push-ups. 😄💪

Füssen, nestled at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, is famous for its medieval old town and serves as the gateway to King Ludwig II's iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, whose dreamlike design inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

After the run, I returned to my upgraded hotel room, warmed up, poured a glass of champagne, and watched the final moments of 2025 from the window.

20.26 km, unforgettable memories, and the perfect way to run into a new year.

🥂 Goodbye, 2025.
🎉 Hello, 2026.

🏃‍♂️📸 Muhldorf am Inn Photo Dump – Winter 2025

A collection of everyday moments from **Mühldorf am Inn**—training runs through quiet streets, festive Christmas decorations, peaceful mornings, colorful sunsets, nighttime lights, and a few selfies along the way.

Not every run needs a mountain or a race bib. Sometimes the best memories are made on familiar roads, where consistent training and simple moments build the foundation for bigger adventures ahead.

🏰✨ New Year's Eve Run to Neuschwanstein Castle | 31 December 2025

I welcomed the last evening of 2025 with a scenic run from Füssen to the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle and back.

The trip started with an unexpected surprise: thanks to an overbooked hotel, I received a complimentary room upgrade—an excellent start to the adventure. As darkness fell, I headed out for a relaxed 20 km run through the quiet streets of Hohenschwangau, passing illuminated castles, forests, and the peaceful Alpine landscape.

Neuschwanstein, commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, was never fully completed and later became the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Perched above the Pöllat Gorge, it remains one of Germany's most iconic landmarks, attracting over a million visitors each year.

🏃 20.25 km
⛰️ 304 m elevation gain
⏱️ 1:54:04
💓 Avg HR: 127 bpm

A memorable way to close one year and run into the next—with fresh mountain air, fairy-tale scenery, and gratitude for all the adventures 2025 brought. Here's to an even bigger 2026! 🎆

🏔️❄️ Ruhpolding Winter Trail Run – 13 December 2025

A winter weekend in Ruhpolding started perfectly. The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas, creating a cozy holiday atmosphere before heading into the mountains the next morning.

The goal was **Sonntagshorn (1,961 m)**, the highest peak in the Chiemgau Alps. The route covered **22.49 km** with **943 m of elevation gain** in **3h 59m**, passing through snow-covered forests and enjoying fantastic views over the surrounding valleys.

Near the summit, the trail became a steep sheet of ice. Running in **HOKA Tecton X**, which aren't designed for icy alpine terrain, I decided to turn back rather than take unnecessary risks. In the mountains, reaching the summit is optional—returning safely is mandatory.

Not every adventure ends on the highest point, but every one adds experience. Sonntagshorn will still be waiting for the next attempt—this time with the right winter equipment.

❄️ From subtropical Hong Kong back to a snowy Germany – December 2025 🇭🇰✈️🇩🇪

The contrast couldn't have been greater. Just days after running mountain trails in warm Hong Kong and completing my first 120K ultramarathon, I found myself back in Germany surrounded by snow, Christmas lights, and winter landscapes.

A few snapshots from those first days back: snowy streets, festive decorations, and the **Run Beat Community Christmas Run**, where I swapped my trail gear for a Santa suit and celebrated the holiday spirit with an amazing running community.

A perfect reminder that every journey brings new adventures—from tropical trails to snowy festive runs.

TransLantau 120 by UTMB 🇭🇰🏔️
📅 November 14–15, 2025

At 8:00 PM on November 14, I stood on the start line of my biggest challenge yet. One goal: keep moving forward.

Lantau Island delivered an unforgettable adventure. The course was relentless, with countless stone staircases making up much of the route. Every climb and descent demanded focus, especially after twisting my ankle a few times.

The toughest section came around noon on Lantau Peak. Climbing and descending endless, uneven granite slab stairs in the heat and humidity pushed me to my limits. It wasn't just about fitness—it was about staying mentally strong and carefully placing every step.

🏃 Distance: 118.07 km (official course: 116 km)
⛰️ Elevation Gain: 5,954 m+ (official: 5,600 m+)
⏱️ Finish Time: 22:49:28
🏅 Overall Rank: 37 / 222
👟 Men's Rank: 34 / 191
⭐ UTMB Index: 560
🪨 Running Stones: 4
💠 UTMB Points: 64+

This was my first race over 100 km—a milestone I'd dreamed about for years. Through the darkness, sunrise, tropical humidity, technical terrain, and endless stairs, I kept moving forward.

Crossing the finish line wasn't just about completing a race. It was about proving to myself that consistency, resilience, and determination are stronger than pain, fatigue, and self-doubt.

Hong Kong gave me one of the hardest—and most rewarding—days I've ever experienced on the trails. This race marked the beginning of my journey into the world of 100-mile mountain ultras.