The 250-hour run at Admont Abbey: 250 turned into an incredible 660 hours!
Over 670 pupils, more than 6,800 laps and around 5,800 kilometres – a powerful statement in support of exercise, health and solidarity in action
One goal, countless moving moments and children sticking together: the 250-hour run organised by the Benedictine Abbey of Admont and Admont Abbey Grammar School turned into a truly impressive celebration of community. Over 670 pupils and teachers, along with local businesses and running enthusiasts, made 22 September 2026 a day full of enthusiasm, exercise and solidarity.
And what we achieved together that day exceeded all expectations: not only was the original target of 250 hours of running together reached, but it was far exceeded. An incredible 660 hours were clocked up in the end – more than two and a half times the original target!
More than 6,800 laps were completed on the grounds of Admont Benedictine Abbey and the abbey grammar school. In total, the distance covered collectively amounts to around 5,800 kilometres. Figuratively speaking, that is a distance that would take you from Admont to Rome and back again more than three times.
Under the motto „Moving forward together – achieving great things together“, the focus was not on individual sporting achievement, but on the shared experience. People of all ages ran side by side, impressively demonstrating what is possible when many people work together towards a common goal.
As well as the Stiftsgymnasium’s big band, Radio Grün Weiß also helped create the right atmosphere on the day with its request programme.
„This event has impressively demonstrated what can be achieved when so many people work together towards a common goal. Over 670 pupils took part with great enthusiasm and made this day something truly special. The fantastic atmosphere, the joy of being active and the sense of togetherness far exceeded our expectations. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this great success.“, so Mario Brandmüller, Head of Tourism and Communications at Admont Abbey.
„It was impressive to see the enthusiasm and perseverance our pupils showed whilst taking part in this special project. The 660 hours of running we achieved together show just how much is possible when team spirit, motivation and a love of exercise come together. This day will remain in our memories as a school community for a long time to come. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, helped out and cheered us on,“ so Katja Maierhofer, Headmistress of Admont Abbey Grammar School.
Strong partners for a strong region
The 250-hour run was supported by two strong partners: Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherungs AG and Raiffeisenbank Region Liezen:
„Health is our most precious asset – and exercise is one of the most important ways of maintaining it in the long term. The 250-Hour Run combines health promotion with a sense of community and impressively demonstrates what people can achieve together. With GRAWE MyMED, our health insurance scheme, we support people in taking active responsibility for their health and promoting their wellbeing in the long term. That is why we wholeheartedly support this special initiative – as a symbol of more physical activity, greater health awareness and a stronger sense of community.“ Mag. Klaus Scheitegel, Chief Executive of Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung AG
„A partnership is demonstrated not only through words, but above all through what we achieve together. The 250-hour run at the Benedictine Abbey of Admont is a compelling example of this: people take responsibility for a shared goal; hundreds of individual hours of running and many small or even larger personal contributions come together to form a collective achievement that no one could achieve alone. At Raiffeisen, we are happy to support such special initiatives, because the idea of joining forces to achieve more is also in line with our own convictions. As a long-standing partner of the Abbey, we are all the more keen to help ensure that these many individual contributions result in something that has an impact far beyond the day of the event,“ so KR MMag. Martin Schaller, Chief Executive of Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark
