Sterzinger Stadtlauf (Vipiteno City Run)

A race in the heart of Vipiteno

The Sterzinger Stadtlauf, or Vipiteno City Run, is one of the longest-running and most beloved running events in South Tyrol. It takes place in the historic center of Vipiteno/Sterzing, in the province of Bolzano, where a city loop of approximately 1,040–1,060 meters is completely closed to traffic and repeated multiple times by participants. The course winds through the alleys, arcades, and gabled houses of the "Fugger City," offering runners one of the most picturesque settings in the entire province.

A unique evening race

What makes the Stadtlauf special is its evening race format: the start is scheduled for the late afternoon, around 7:00 PM, when the fading light and the intimate atmosphere of the medieval center create an incomparable backdrop. This formula, first tested in the 1980s and consolidated in the 1990s, has become the event's true hallmark and the reason for its success with both the public and participants.

History and tradition

The first edition of the Sterzinger Stadtlauf was held on August 3, 1980, with 94 runners at the starting line at the foot of the Twelve Tower (Zwölferturm), the city symbol that divides the New Town from the Old Town. From the 1981 edition, the race adopted the evening format that still distinguishes it today. Over the decades, the event has seen a steady increase in participants and the quality of the field, hosting athletes of national prominence with ties to the region.

Categories

The program includes several distinct starting heats: a race dedicated to children and teenagers, the women's race covering three laps of the loop, and the men's race covering five laps, for a total distance that varies depending on the category. The closing ceremony, with the awards presentation, always takes place in the Stadtplatz / City Square, where the "City of Vipiteno" trophy is awarded to the winners.

Organization

The event is organized by ASV Sterzing Volksbank, the historic amateur sports club of Vipiteno, which manages every logistical detail, from course closures to timing. The race is part of the South Tyrolean running calendar and attracts participants from across the Wipptal and Isarco Valley.