Draisinenlauf Altenglan

Running on the Railway Embankment

The former railway line between Altenglan and Staudernheim, which now serves as a draisine track and part of the Glan-Blies cycle path, is one of the most extraordinary running routes in Germany. What was conceived as a train connection in the 19th century is today an asphalted track that leads through the picturesque Glan valley with almost no significant inclines. Precisely this characteristic — flat, asphalted, with only 45 meters of elevation gain over the entire half marathon distance — makes the Draisinenlauf one of the fastest and most popular half marathons in the Westpfalz region.

From Concept to Established Race

The Draisinenlauf was initiated in 2022 by LSC Athlon Kusel e.V., the leading athletics and running club in the region. With the support of the local communities and the Verbandsgemeinde Kusel-Altenglan, the event has developed into a firmly established date in the Rhineland-Palatinate running calendar within a few years. 2026 will see the fifth edition, and registration numbers are increasing year by year. The well-organized procedure, the scenic route, and the family-friendly atmosphere are major attractions.

Route and Distances

The half marathon over 21.1 km is the centerpiece of the event. The start is at 10:00 AM at the Turn- und Festhalle Altenglan. The route leads along the draisine track towards Glan-Münchweiler and back. The half marathon is complemented by relays, which also make the half marathon experience attractive for teams, as well as children's and youth runs, which are started over shorter distances before or after the main race. Exact distances and start times for the children's runs will be published by the organizer in spring 2026 on lsc-kusel.de.

Venue and Services

The Turn- und Festhalle Altenglan in Schulstraße serves as the event center: here you will find the distribution of starting documents, changing rooms, showers, valuables storage, and refreshments after crossing the finish line. Course marshals, medical support, and refreshment stations along the route are standard. LSC Athlon Kusel and the volunteer helpers ensure a smooth process. Spectators can follow the race at various points along the route, as the draisine track passes through several villages.