The new board of the Pustertal Running Club, front row (from left): Georg Brunner, President Simon Stifter, Martin Brunner; second row (from left): Meinhard Oberhollenzer, Gerd Kathrein and Horst Pescolderung; third row (from left): Christoph Rauter, Daniel Schwingshackl and Hermann Plaickner. © Pustertal Running Club

The Pustertal running club has a new president.

In January, the members of the Pustertal Running Club met for their annual general meeting. A new committee was elected, and the previous president, Gerd Kathrein, stepped down.

February 18, 2026

From: pm

Founded in March 2014 by a group of running enthusiasts, the Pustertal Running Club now boasts around 70 members and has become a platform for ambitious runners in the Puster Valley. Here, members can exchange experiences in running and pursue shared athletic goals. Some members prefer mountain runs, others compete in village and panoramic races, while still others focus on half marathons or marathons. But they all share the same passion: running.

The Pustertal Running Club is now experiencing a breath of fresh air with its new committee. Gerd Kathrein has handed over the presidency to Simon Stifter. He will be supported by the previous committee members Georg Brunner, Gerd Kathrein, Christoph Rauter, Horst Pescolderung, Daniel Schwingshackl, and Hermann Plaickner. New additions to the committee include Martin Brunner and Meinhard Oberhollenzer. The expansion of the board to nine members demonstrates the high level of interest in participating in the club.

"The loss of the potato race would be a great loss."

During the general meeting, the focus also shifted to the current year, 2026. A flagship event of the club is the annual Potato Run. A dedicated organizing team is already working on this year's event. However, every helping hand is needed to ensure its success. "The cancellation of this sporting event, like the recent Reschensee Run, would be a great loss for runners and the valley," emphasized President Simon Stifter. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the sponsors who support club activities and the Potato Run.

Finally, several members received special recognition for participating in at least ten running events in South Tyrol. The running club thus provides an incentive to register for local races. A comprehensive program of events is planned for 2026, including a club outing and a club race.