Ludwig Höfler is fit.
No matter whether on cross-country skis or in running competitions: The Burggener always knows how to convince with strong performances.
Now the 74-year-old has discovered trail running for himself.
Burggen - Ludwig Höfler is fit. No matter whether on cross-country skis or in running competitions: The Burggener always knows how to convince with strong performances. The 74-year-old is also ready to try something new - now he has discovered trail running for himself. In just a few days, he recently completed two such competitions for the first time, in which, in contrast to mountain running, it's not just up, but up and down. And both times the veteran drew attention to himself with impressive appearances. Daughter Heidi Höfler (45) was also at the start on both occasions, and she also showed strong form.
At the “Hochkönigman” in Maria Alm (Salzburger Land), the duo, who always compete for the RV Concordia Burggen, completed the “Easytrail” over 9.3 kilometers and 310 meters uphill and downhill. On his trail running debut, Ludwig Höfler shone with a time of 1: 05.22 hours as second in his age group. About 500 meters from the finish, he noticed that a runner who apparently belonged to his class wanted to pass him. The Burggener let himself be overtaken, a running duel seemed superfluous to him. “I didn't care whether I finished first or second,” says Höfler. Above all, it is important to him to be able to do sports in a healthy way. As long as he can do that at his age, “I'm satisfied”. The winner of the 60+ class, Austrian Johann Stockinger (1:04:59), is seven years younger than Burggener, by the way.
Ludwig Höfler second in his class at the “Hochkönigman”
Heidi Höfler also achieved a podium place in the women's U50 class: with a time of 59:57 minutes, she was third.
In the overall ranking, the woman from Burggen finished twelfth among 49 finishers.
The route at the Hochkönigmann - from Maria Alm there was a circular route to Kraller and Dürnberg - was wonderful and "pleasant to run", reported Ludwig Höfler.
The situation was different at the “Nighttrail” in Innsbruck. The race (7 kilometers / 373 meters uphill and downhill each) was part of the “Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival”. The path led west of the Bergisel ski jump through a forest area. According to Ludwig Höfler, there were no level spots, many roots had to be overcome. Since the race took place in the dark - the participants were wearing headlamps - it was a special challenge. Ludwig Höfler once fell while running. "Nothing bigger than a few scratches" happened to him. After 58:22 minutes, the Burggener crossed the finish line, which brought him 53rd place out of 64 participants. Ludwig Höfler was by far the oldest runner on this route. The second oldest starter was 51 years old. Such a night run "apparently only younger people"said the Burggener with an ironic undertone. Heidi Höfler completed the route in 53:56 minutes. In the overall ranking she came in 14th place out of 39 women. The Burggenerin was fourth in the Masters class. The year before, she was tenth overall (1:23:45) on the rookie trail run (13 kilometers) in Innsbruck.
On Saturday, September 18, the next competition is on the program - this time a pure mountain run. The SC Bad Kohlgrub organizes its Hörnlelauf. This year the German mountain running championship will also take place. Ludwig Höfler will not run in the DM classification, he announced yesterday. This would also require special formalities and authorizations from the club's side vis-à-vis the athletics federation.
