Remembering Helmut Jung

Next Saturday more than 300 runners will meet in my home town Kaltenkirchen near Hamburg, Germany, to remember Helmut Jung and his wife and to run the first "Helmut Jung Gedächtnismarathon" (Helmut Jung Remembrance Marathon).

Helmut was a fellow runner and marathoner and he was well known in Kaltenkirchen and the running community around Hamburg. He finished more than 190 marathon races in Germany and abroad. At the age of 54 - five years after running his first marathon - he ran his PR at the 1989 Berlin Marathon: 3:11:31. His 200th marathon was planned for Oct 20th, 2007.

But then the unthinkable happened. On Saturday, August 19th 2007 his mentally ill 36 year-old daughter attacked Helmut's wife with a kitchen knife. Helmut came to help and was attacked himself. Both Marianne and Helmut Jung were killed during the attack.

I met Helmut first in 2003, two years after I had moved to Kaltenkirchen. Together with my neighbour and running partner and one other runner we drove to a nearby city to compete in a half marathon. In the car we talked about Helmut's many marathons and his great shape at the age of 68. I met him afterwards at many road races in our area.

I remember him each time when I go to work by bike. My office is located 15 km from my home and I encountered him every morning on my way to work. We greeted each other and occasionally exchanged a couple of words. On one particular morning in late summer a few years ago we had a little chat and he told me that he planned to run the Honolulu Marathon in December - at the age of 70! He was very excited about that trip.


He was a great runner and a noble, always friendly and humble person. I am proud to participate next Saturday in the first marathon named after and run in honor of Helmut Jung.

My World Wide Half 2008

My World Wide Half were the first 21097.5 meters of my last long training run previous to the "Helmut Jung Gedächtnismarathon", which will take place next Saturday, Oct 18th in my home town Kaltenkirchen near Hamburg, Germany.

My original plan was to do my last long one week earlier and to do a half marathon today. But then I wasn't feeling well last Sunday, so I didn't run, but felt I'd need that last 30k-run. I changed my plan for this weekend and ran 30.2 km yesterday (Saturday 11th). Before I started I reviewed my route on buckeyeoutdoors.com and made a mental note of the place of my half marathon "finish".

My wife accompanied me on her bike on the first 10 km. Then I was alone. After 15 km it became hard. I had run arduous 14k on a hilly course (in preparation of the upcoming marathon, which will be at that same hilly place) on Thursday and I guess I was still a bit tired. I also had a minor, but annoying problem with my hip. But now I'll stop moaning.

It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, moderate wind, and temperatures of 14°C (57°F). Ideal conditions for a run! 

I forced myself to run a steady pace of just under 6min/km, which I could maintain until I reached the 21.1km mark I had memorized. 2:03:30. Not exactly fast, but I had to save some energy for the marathon next week. I was quite pleased with my "finish time".

I had made it to the finish - except for the fact that home was still about 9 km away! Now I slowed down a bit but ran home without walk break. 2:59:30 in total.

All things considered it was a decent half and a successful "dress rehearsal" for next week's marathon.