Over 700 participants took part. © A. Mayr

Ploner and Haselrieder celebrate at the 11th Seiser Alm Half Marathon

The Seiser Alm Half Marathon 2024 came to an end on Sunday with two South Tyrolean favorites winning. In ideal running weather - slightly cloudy skies and temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius - Markus Ploner and Greta Haselrieder prevailed on the 21,1 kilometers with 601 meters of elevation. While it was Haselrieder's second triumph at the foot of the Schlern, Ploner won the renowned running event on Europe's largest high alpine pasture for the first time.

July 07, 2024

From: pm/sn

700 running enthusiasts from all over the world (33 nations) took on the challenge of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon on Sunday. The popular race, which had been sold out since mid-April this year, began at 9 a.m. sharp with the starting gun in Compatsch.

A leading group immediately broke away from the rest of the field, which included the eventual winner Markus Ploner. The man from Sterzing, who has lived in Bolzano for a long time, was the first to pass the Spitzbühl checkpoint after around 17 kilometers. At this point he was already over a minute ahead of his closest rivals.

Markus Ploner © A. Mayr

The 43-year-old from Wipptal continued his pace over the last few kilometers and finally won in 1:20.45 hours. For Ploner, it was his first victory on the Seiser Alm, although he had already landed on the podium several times in the past. Martin Griesser from Freienfeld came in second, 1.07 minutes behind. The podium was completed by the German Patrick König. The 37-year-old from Görlitz had a time of 1:22.02 hours. Khalid Jbari from Leifer and Hannes Rungger from Sarnen - both of whom have won the Seiser Alm Half Marathon several times in the past - took fourth and fifth place.

Even a fall cannot stop Greta Haselrieder

In the women's category, the day's victory went to Greta Haselrieder for the second time after 2022. The 27-year-old from Bruneck ran at her own pace right from the start and was always at the front of the field. Not even a fall could stop the Pustertaler, who ultimately won in 1:36.21 hours. Last year, Haselrieder also took second place in her favorite race.

The winners' podium for the women: Lena Zingerle, Greta Haselrieder and Lydia Van Vleet (from left) © A. Mayr

Second place this year went to another local runner: Lena Zingerle from Mühlbach crossed the finish line in Compatsch with a total time of 1:41.30 hours after a furious comeback - in Spitzbühl she was in fourth place. Third place went to an American, Lydia Van Vleet. She was 21,1 seconds slower than Zingerle over the 601 kilometers with 13 meters of elevation. Anna Santini from Trentino and the Swedish ultra-runner Frida Sodermark came in fourth and fifth respectively.

Running for charity

This time, the Charity Run 2024 supported "Free to Run - Empowerment through running". The organization is committed to changing gender norms in conflict areas by supporting adolescent girls and young women in strengthening their leadership skills and well-being through running. The sponsor of Free to Run in South Tyrol is the well-known extreme marathon runner Manfred Mussner, who was able to accept a check for 3000 euros from the organizers (LG Schlern and Seiser Alm Marketing).

This is what the winners say

Markus Ploner (winner of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon 2024): "My goal today was to finish on the podium. The fact that I finally managed to win for the first time after the umpteenth attempt was a surprise for me too - even though I felt good right from the start. In any case, I'm extremely happy. What else do I have planned for this year? In the fall, I'll be running a half marathon in England and then I want to attack again at the New York Marathon."

Greta Haselrieder (winner of the Seiser Alm Half Marathon 2024): "I gave it my all right from the start today, maybe even a little too much, because I definitely went beyond my limits. I'm obviously very happy about the win, this race in my second home is my favorite race and I will definitely be back at the start in 2025."

Results Seiser Alm Half Marathon 2024

Men
1. Markus Ploner ITA/South Tyrol 1:20.45
2. Martin Griesser ITA/South Tyrol 1:21.52
3. Patrick Koenig GER 1:22.02
4. Khalid Jbari ITA/South Tyrol 1:23.09
5. Hannes Rungger ITA/South Tyrol 1:24.33

Women
1. Greta Haselrieder ITA/South Tyrol 1:36.21
2. Lena Zingerle ITA/South Tyrol 1:41.30
3. Lydia Van Vleet USA 1:41.43
4. Anna Santini ITA1:42.09
5. Frida Sodermark SWE 1:47.01