Kim Gottwald
Marathon is not enough for him
Kim Gottwald takes part in ultra runs / from Sylt to Neuschwanstein in 18 days
He ran 7746 kilometers last year, that's eight million steps. When Kim Gottwald from Seppenrade laces up his running shoes, he doesn't do things by halves. Ultra runs are his specialty. Even once across Germany.
The Seppenrade native discovered his passion for running during the coronavirus pandemic. "I had nothing to do and was looking for a sport that I could do straight away," says the 21-year-old. "I didn't really have anything to do with running, but then I just gave it a go." He got up every morning at 5.30 a.m. and ran his ten kilometers before school.
Back then, he ran normal distances until he fell ill and his times deteriorated significantly. "At some point, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and in April 2023, I spontaneously ran 100 kilometers through Seppenrade, always doing a loop through the village." The love for ultra runs was born.
In the meantime, Kim Gottwald has run 161 kilometers along the Berlin Wall (Berlin Wall Trail Run), jogged 100 kilometers around the Aachener Weiher in Cologne and 50 kilometers around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, ran a half marathon backwards and covered the distance from Sylt to Neuschwanstein Castle (1160 kilometers) in 18 days. Then, just before Christmas last year, he took on another challenge: an ultramarathon around the Ludgeri traffic circle in Münster. He ran 200 laps, which equates to around 60 kilometers.
My motivation
Soccer World Cup: From stadium to stadium
The Seppenrader, who is actually studying law, can also be followed on social media. He already has almost 30,000 followers on instagram alone. Kim Gottwald didn't expect it to go through the roof like this. "Things really took off when I ran from stadium to stadium during last year's European Football Championship at home. That interested and inspired a lot of people. And I want to do the same this year, when the Women's World Cup takes place in Switzerland." He is also planning the "Transalpin Run" this year. "It's a crossing of the Alps and requires completely different training, especially for the thighs. Because it's at altitude."
Kim Gottwald has already found sponsors for his unusual runs. He has also founded his own sporting goods brand together with a friend: Rappid. "We have running clothes that you can of course also use for any other sport. We offer shorts, shirts, longsleeves, tank tops and caps," says Kim Gottwald. "If the running thing turns into something more, then I'll be delighted. If I could work full-time in this area, I wouldn't mind. But I will definitely finish my studies."
Tips for beginners
He really enjoys running. "But I haven't yet experienced a runner's high, the so-called runner's high that makes you totally euphoric," says the student. "That's a mystery." Until you have a certain level of endurance, running is actually really annoying. He advises beginners to start very slowly. "Only easy runs with a heart rate below 140/150 at first, even if you have to walk in between. That's the only way to build up fitness." He himself runs six to seven times a week. "It's part of the day for me." Nadine Wenge
instagram: kim.gottwald
