Basler Stadtlauf (Basel’s City Run)
Basel’s annual Stadtlauf (city run) will be taking place once again before the official opening of the Christmas season, this year on November 23. Anyone who likes running—whether young or old—should head for the wonderfully illuminated city center.
For this 41st edition, grown-ups and kids can run together in a special family run. Children ages 4 and up can join their parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents in this run from the Münsterplatz to Marktplatz. This family run starts first (16:30) and is only 1 km. There is no ranking; the results will be displayed in alphabetical order.
Like every year, there will also be dedicated races for all age categories, from children ages 7 to seniors. Distances vary by age group, from 1.0 km for the youngest kids to 5.5 km for adults. There also are longer-distance runs for elite female (5.9 km) and male (7.55 km) runners, but participation in these is by invitation only. All races start at Münsterplatz, with the youngest beginning at 17:03 and the older men beginning at 20:44 (check the “Kategorien und Startzeiten” for your age category under “Stadtlauf”).
Family Tips
If your young kids will be running separately from you, it is advisable to decide before the race on a specific meeting place for you and your children after the race. The organizers also suggest you write your cell phone numbers on your kids’ number bibs so that the Stadtlauf helpers can quickly reach you if necessary to help reunite you with your children.
Facilities and Services
Changing rooms are available from 15:00-22:00 on the day of the run. The men’s changing room is located at the Gymnasium Leonhard (entrance on Leonhardstrasse). The ladies’ changing room is at the Holbein Schule, entrance on Kanonengasse. The way to the starting line is well indicated, and there are many toilets right at the start on Münsterplatz.
Getting There
To protect the environment, as well as to avoid traffic congestion and parking nightmares, participants (but not accompanying family members) will receive a free transport ticket to the Stadtlauf on the entire public transport network of the Nordwestschweiz, including SBB trains (2nd class).
Prizes
All runners in the children and youth categories (up to “under-16”) will receive a souvenir medal that each year is specially designed with a Basel motif. All runners in the “under-18” and older categories will receive a “finisher’s gift” and can order the souvenir medal at registration for a cost of CHF 5. Only those registered by November 10 are guaranteed a medal. Additionally, the first three finishers in each category are asked to present themselves immediately at the finish line to receive their awards. The first-place winners will receive a watch, and the second- and third-place winners will receive Pro Innerstadt Basel gift certificates.
Registration
Until November 10, registration costs CHF 36 for adults, CHF 19 for kids ages 6-16, and CHF 40 for families (1 child + 1 adult, plus CHF 5 for each additional child or adult). From November 11, the registration fee goes up to CHF 41 for adults, CHF 24 for kids ages 6-16, and CHF 45 for families (1 child + 1 adult, plus CHF 5 for each additional child or adult). Online registration is possible until November 20 at https://www.stadtlauf.ch/stadtlauf/en/registration/. If you register before November 10, you will receive your start number and chip by mail (Swiss addresses only!); otherwise, they can be picked up in a tent at Münsterplatz on the day of the race from 14:00-20:00.
Website
stadtlauf.ch/stadtlauf/en/
Where
Münsterplatz
4051 Basel