On the edge of the Lusshardt Forest, between calm meadows and fields lies the peaceful town of Hambruecken. The intact nature around Hambruecken offers a formative experience for runners that partake in the annual Lusshardtlauf races. Hambrucken is easily accessible from the nearby cities of Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Heidelberg and Speyer. The flat course is well laid out, fast and offers a bit of shade and scenery for those that need a little more time. This year there were three race disciplines offered, a 5K, a 10K and a half-marathon - as well as a 9.3K Walking event.
On Sunday morning I picked up RB around 8:00 a.m. and we drove to Hambruecken, about 15 minutes away. We picked up our race numbers and joined some friends from our running club, the most also running the half-marathon. About 20 minutes before the race we deposited our jackets that we had been wearing in the car and made a final pit stop in the sports hall. It was still a bit brisk out as we lined up with the roughly 500 runners, but the sun warmed us we waited.
After a few minutes the announcer counted down and sent us off, the mass slowly moved forward, down the street and out over the fieldway on the edge of town. I let RB set the pace, I had no goal, other than just enjoying the run with my friend. The sun and our activity quickly warmed us and we chatted away as we flowed with the crowd over the first few kilometers.
Eventually the 5K and 10K runners turned off and the course opened up, but by this time the faster runners were already well ahead and those left were no longer passing. RB and I chatted the kilometers away as we circled the course. There was a good combination of fields, forest, asphalt and dirt throughout the course. RB had missed a couple weeks of training last month, so wasn't in any hurry, so we maintained a steady pace and enjoyed the changing scenery and each others company.
It grew warm towards the end of our race, but not fitfully hot like it had been earlier in the week. After about two hours and eight minutes we crossed the finish line, fast enough for us. We headed over and tried to make a dent in the pile of watermelon that was offered at the finish line, what a treat!
After cooling down we joined friends from our running club in the sports hall for some food. We stayed through the awards ceremony, not one placed from our club, but we could at least cheer those that did! Afterward we made our way back home, another great morning with friends!
The sports club in Hambruecken presented a well organized and scenic race, one reason that so many keep coming back!
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