Potato Run / Erdäpfllauf

The Potato Run, South Tyrol's potato race

The Potato Run, known in German as Südtiroler Erdäpfllauf, is one of the most distinctive road races in South Tyrol. Every late August, the event unites the towns of Brunico (Bruneck) and Campo Tures (Sand in Taufers), in the province of Bolzano, along a 17.6-kilometer route that corresponds to three-quarters of a half-marathon. Its curious and affectionate name pays homage to the farming traditions of the Ahrntal, historically linked to potato cultivation.

A route from castle to castle

The race starts at Brunico's Town Hall Square, crosses the historic center passing by the Capuchin Square and the Kolpinghaus, then joins the cycle path along the Aurino stream. The route touches the villages of Villa Santa Caterina, Gais, Villa Ottone, and Caminata, concluding in the Festival Square of Campo Tures. With a modest elevation gain of about 80 meters and panoramic views stretching over the Rieserferner-Ahrn glaciers and the Zillertal Alps, the course is fast and scenic, ideal for those chasing a personal best or simply wanting to enjoy the landscape.

Distances and formats for everyone

The Potato Run is not just for competitive athletes. In addition to the main 17.6 km race, the program includes several formats designed to involve as many participants as possible:

• Competitive race of 17.6 km from Brunico to Campo Tures;
• Just4fun hobby run, with no medical certificate required;
• Two-person relay (2 x 8.8 km), with a changeover at the halfway point;
• Mini Potato Run dedicated to children aged 3 to 15, with varying distances based on age groups;
• Handbike race, which precedes the main start.

A celebration of sport and community

Organized by the ASV Laufclub Pustertal, the Potato Run has grown edition after edition to exceed one thousand participants, becoming a staple of the South Tyrolean running calendar. The late-summer atmosphere, supported by the crowds along the Aurino cycle path and the final party at the Festival Square in Campo Tures, makes it much more than just a race: it is a celebration of the Puster Valley, the Ahrntal, and their traditions, framed by the mountains of South Tyrol.