Reisseck Wadlbeisser on 29/9/2013

Last year VERBUND organised Austria's longest stair run for the first time under the name Reisseck "Wadlbeisser" (or "calf-killer"). The race was originally planned to take place in May, but had to be postponed due to health and safety reasons caused by bad weather conditions. On the new date of 29 September 2013 the challenge will now be to beat winner Silvio Wieltschnig's best running time. The Reisseck Wadlbeisser runs along the Reisseck mountain railway route in the Mölltal Valley in Carinthia. The runners will have to surmount 1,518 metres - in this way the stair run eclipses even the most famous Empire State Building stair run.

Reisseck is a popular destination for locals and visitors. There are steps running along the Reisseck mountain railway route, which this year will be posing a particular sporting challenge for stair-runners, as there are 8,971 steps to conquer in order to get to 2,237 metres above sea level and in so doing, beat last year's winning time. At Austria's first ever longest stair run in 2012, 44 people took up the challenge and reached the finishing line exhausted, but happy. Among the male participants Silvio Wieltschnig won the race by getting to the finishing line in 55 mins and 47 seconds. The fastest female participant was Marlies Penker with a time of 1:08:52.

The Route 
The route comprises 8,971 steps and a height difference of 1,518 to be conquered. The start line will be at the valley station of the Reisseck mountain railway in Kolbnitz (719m above sea level), the goal is the summit station Schoberboden (2,237m above sea level). The route is divided into 3 sections and runs along the Reisseck mountain railway route. At the end of each section there will be refreshment stations set up, where drinks and fruit will be provided for the runners. For safety reasons, service on the mountain railway has been suspended for the duration of the race.

Requirements and Registration
The Reisseck Wadlbeisser is an extraordinary challenge. For this reason particular registration requirements will apply, which are intended for the protection of the mountaineers. Among these requirements are above all previous half-marathon experience and the certainty that one's body is in best physical condition regarding fitness. The time limit to reach the end in Schoberboden is 2 hours. Runners who need more time will not classify. Registrations (€35) are still being taken up until 29 September 2013 (until 9 a.m.). Winners in the categories of year of birth 1994 to 1969 and as of year of birth 1968 will be awarded a €300 cash prize as well as a gift.

The route comprises 8,971 steps and a height difference of 1,518 to be conquered. The start line will be at the valley station of the Reisseck mountain railway in Kolbnitz (719m above sea level), the goal is the summit station Schoberboden (2,237m above sea level). The route is divided into 3 sections and runs along the Reisseck mountain railway route. At the end of each section there will be refreshment stations set up, where drinks and fruit will be provided for the runners. For safety reasons, service on the mountain railway has been suspended for the duration of the race. The Reisseck Wadlbeisser is an extraordinary challenge. For this reason particular registration requirements will apply, which are intended for the protection of the mountaineers. Among these requirements are above all previous half-marathon experience and the certainty that one's body is in best physical condition regarding fitness. The time limit to reach the end in Schoberboden is 2 hours. Runners who need more time will not classify. Registrations (€35) are still being taken up until 29 September 2013 (until 9 a.m.). Winners in the categories of year of birth 1994 to 1969 and as of year of birth 1968 will be awarded a €300 cash prize as well as a gift.

Registration is possible online on an electronic registration form at: www.reisseck-wadlbeisser.at.

Handing out of the start numbers: Sunday 29 September from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Reisseck mountain railway valley station.

Start: Sunday 29 September 9:30 a.m. at the Reisseck mountain railway valley station.

Supporters and Escorts
Fans, mental-coaches, family members and other supporters of those running will be taken care of. Before the start of the Reisseck Wadlbeisser, it will be possible to take a pleasant mountain trip with the Reisseck mountain railway. The first trip will take place around 1:30pm.

Destination Reißeck
Visitors from Austria and abroad can comfortably scale 2,200 metres above sea level with the Reisseck mountain railway. In 25 minutes, the Reisseck mountain railway goes up the sometimes more than 82 percent incline, a height difference of over 1,500 metres. Upon arrival in Schoberboden, visitors can transfer onto Europe's highest altitude private narrow-gauge railway, which ends directly at the Bergrestaurant Reisseck.

Hiking, Climbing and Discoveries
The much-loved Reisseck circular footpath is the ideal destination for a relaxed hike. In around half an hour it will lead you to the Grosser Mühldorfer reservoir at 2,319 metres height. On the way, numerous info-points allow you to become better informed about the landscape, the geology and vegetation in the surrounding area.

The Grosser Mühldorfer reservoir entices with its many interesting excursion opportunities, such as, for example, the echo point and the seemingly ancient stone circle not far from the Great Mühldorf Dam. Riekenthörl (2,525m), Hochkedl (2,558m) and Grosses Reisseck (2,965m) are further recommended hiking destinations. For climbing aficionados there awaits the incredibly popular climbing route "Bella Vista", which leads up to the Hohe Leier (2,774m).

Visitors can find detailed information about the sign-posted paths with different difficulty levels and walking times at the mountain station.

A Glimpse into the Interior of the Mühldorf Dam
For those who are interested in finding out about the production of electricity from hydropower, we invite you to take a look inside the Mühldorfer Dam. Experienced hiking guides accompany you to the dam and along the way show and explain everything worth knowing about electricity production from hydropower, the natural area of Reisseck, the construction of the reservoir and the hiking and climbing opportunities in the vicinity. The tour lasts around 90 minutes and begins daily at 10 a.m., midday, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Visual Images
Images of the Reisseck Wadlbeisser 2012 are available for free at the VERBUND media centre: https://www.verbund.com/mediathek-cms/pindownload/login.do?pin=AUAUV