Right from the Start the "ERSTE BANK vienna night run" exceeded all expectations: 2007 the race started out of the MQ, which was bursting from all seams, on to Mariahilferstraße, 3.670 Runners showed their fitness and their humaneness, since 5. - Euros from every single runners entry fee went to the organisation "Light for the World", which financed over 500 surgeries that gave affected persons their eyesight back in addition all the runners had the nice feeling of having changed something specifically to the better.

With over 7.000 registrations the number of participants was doubled the next year: This time starting at Vienna’s city hall 5.000 meters through the heart of the city, the number of participants exceeded expectations and hundreds of Runners had to be put off to 2009. Over a 1.000 blind people in Africa und Asia were helped via the "ERSTE BANK vienna night run"!

After all the success, the goals for 2009 are even bigger: "I hope, that we can double the number of participants again this year, so we move up to 15.000 runners. That would mean the number of donations for partially sighted people is doubled as well!“ says Hannes Menitz the Organizer and CEO of sportmedia.

The third edition of the "ERSTE BANK vienna night run" on the 6th of October, this Time 5 km around the Ring, Vienna’s most beautiful Street. The numerous historic sights in their nightly lighting will cause for a truly special atmosphere. Start and Finish is on the Burgring (between Bellariastr. and Babenbergerstr.), the Stage with Show- und Music-Program is again on the Maria Theresien-Platz. The spectacle starts at 18:00; the start of the run is traditionally at 20:00. Because so many more runners are expected the issue of all starting bibs will not be on 2 days only but also at the Health-Fair „Fit For night run“, where everybody can obtain information about health, wellness and sport. The fair will be from Sunday the 4th to Monday the 5th of October at the “Festsaal” at the City Hall of Vienna. There runners can get their starting bibs, their starter-package including various new Goodies as well as the multifunctional Running T-Shirt from Jako.

The closing date is on the 22nd of September at Noon. When you register until the 30th of June, you will only pay 20. - Euros entry fee; until 31st of August it costs 22.- Euros; after that 25.- Euros. From every entry fee 5. - Euros are donated to "Light for the World".

Gabriel Müller, Communications Manager "Light for the World": "The vienna night run is one of the most important running events in Austria and that only in it’s third year. The run moves, touches, excites and opens eyes. From the start the vienna night run is a running event where blind people in Austria can actively participate while at the same time hundreds of blind people in Africa regain their eyesight via the donations coming from all the entry fees. In 2009 the whole route will be without barriers that enables people in wheelchairs to participate as well which is another milestone in the success story of the vienna night run. What excites us the most at 'Light for the World' about the vienna night run: We experience athletic nearness on common eye level with the effect of humanitarian help.“

Multiple Paralympics gold medal winner und Sports director of the ÖBSV Mag. Andrea Scherney: "To the Austrian handicapped sport organisation it is of great concern to support this event, because people with impediment should always be helped in Africa and Austria. The united participation of our blind and partially sighted athletes is a fixture. However this year we also want our other disabled athletes to participate in this unique charity event. Since the route is without barriers this year nothing stands in the way of our handicapped runners and wheelchair drivers, to really show their support fort he people in Africa. The race is not about the fastest time but all about the pleasure of running or Nordic walking on the wonderful Ring at night, that is why we also want to motivate all other organisations that work with disabled persons to participate. It is going to be a great event and not only should we enjoy the nightly running but also the donating for „Light of the World“, so a lot more operations can be financed in Africa. If we as self-affected persons don’t show solidarity and humanity, who will? For questions contact Mag. Andrea Scherney at sportdirektor@oebsv.or.at

Councillor for Sport Christian Oxonitsch gets right to the point of the "ERSTE BANK vienna night run": "The vienna night run is different – in the most positive way. It unites sport, fun and humanity. At this nightly running spectacle it is not only about fast times but also about actively doing something for partially sighted people. And that is way I hope, that a lot of runners will seize the opportunity and participate for the good cause!“