The sixth edition of the Heinfels Tower Run took place on Saturday, 19 July 2025 in summery 30-degree weather and just before a summer thunderstorm rolled in. As every year, the starting point was the historic Punbrugge and the finish line was the highest level of the keep at Heinfels Castle. A distance of 1.1 kilometres, 140 metres in altitude and 265 steps separated the runners from the top of the castle.

In the race category, Michael Brunner secured the day's victory with an impressive time of 5:40.5 minutes. Armin Leiter followed in second place (6:03.2), with Michael Steiner in third (6:28.5). Young Laura Steinwandter (ASC 2000 Toblach) was the fastest female runner of the day with a time of 8:16.9 minutes and also secured victory in the U18 category.

Peter-Paul Kofler (Brauchtumsverein Strassen) with the day's winners Laura Steinwandter and Michael Brunner.

In the hobby class, where it is not the best time but the average time that counts, Magdalena Pircher took first place this year... with a time of 9:45.1 minutes - and she did it barefoot! She was followed by Christian Trojer (Sillian Mountain Rescue) and Michael Prümmer.

Relay highlight: fire brigade, music and Red Cross in action

The relay race once again provided a colourful spectacle this year: eleven teams of three people competed against each other - including not only ambitious athletes, but also real eye-catchers. The Heinfels music band was represented by a team of young members who completed the run in their band uniforms. The Strassen fire brigade completed the race in full fire gear and the Sillian Red Cross relay team ran with rucksacks - a detail that attracted additional attention.

The team from the Glanz fire brigade (Michael, Stefan and Markus Brunner) took victory with a time of 4:46.6 minutes. They were followed by SV Tessenberg and Tessenberg 1 in second and third place.

 

Children's run with strong performances

The youngest children competed in the children's run starting at 3 pm. The route led from the north car park to the castle's fairground and covered 400 metres and 35 metres of elevation - without any steps. Lukas Gutwenger (born 2014) secured the loudly cheered victory of the day with a time of 1:31.0 minutes, closely followed by Nico Bodner and Marie Bachmann.

The participants in the children's race.

Quotes and conclusion

‘We congratulate all the athletes on their great performances and are already looking forward to next year,’ said chairman Peter-Paul Kofler from the organising association Brauchtumsverein Strassen.

After the award ceremony, which took place just in time before the thunderstorm, a hard core defied the weather and brought the sporting event to a cosy close on the fairground of Heinfels Castle in a great atmosphere. DJ Dany provided the musical entertainment.

All photos (73) (link to external gallery)

Credits: ©Peter Leiter