ABOUT THE NIGHT RUN

The Erste Bank Vienna Night Run was brought to life in 2007 and has distinguished itself from all other running events in Austria. It's not about chasing minutes and seconds but rather about having fun and showing humanity. A partner for this unique event was quickly found with the aid organisation "Light for the World". Five Euros of the entry fee were directly donated to "Light for the World" .

Right from the start in October 2007, with 3.700 participants filling up Mariahilferstraße at night, the expectations from the creators were excelled.

The second time around was even better. Not only was the number of participants doubled in 2008 consequently the donations were doubled as well. For the first time a run through the inner city of Vienna was organized, with a course into the heart of the city (across Stephansplatz), which was a truly unforgettable experience for every runner.

For the third edition of the charity run on the 6th of October, 2009; 13.686 people signed up including runners, Nordic Walkers and for the first time also disabled athletes. Thanks to the big engagement of the participants a check worth 68,430 Euro was handed to „light for the world“ . With this money 2.281 operations of cataract were financed in Africa. The course ran around the ring with start and finish on Heldenplatz. Even President Dr. Heinz Fischer was very impressed by the mood and the gigantic crowd of runners: “I am glad that so many viennese people run and at the same time do something positive.“ President Dr. Heinz Fischer gave the start signal and cheered on the participants, until the last Nordic Walker crossed the start line.

In 2010 the erste bank vienna night run returned to Rathausplatz and again registered a participation record! 16.332 male and female runners registered and even with rain pouring down they assembled on the Ring on the 5th of October. In the meantime, a total of €200,820 was handed over in donation money to light for the world, with it the erste bank vienna night runners helped 6.694 people in Africa to regain their ocular light!

Since the first edition in 2007 the erste bank vienna night run is particularly popular with female runners! Today even more women than men head to the start.