If you’re looking for a half marathon where there’s no turning back, this is the one for you. At the eleven-kilometer mark, the choice awaits: from here, you either continue until the half marathon distance is complete—no shortcuts, no easy way out.
Regardless of how you run it, the result will be a full half marathon. For those who want to push themselves and test their limits, this route offers an exciting challenge that demands true endurance.
A First Run, Thanks to a Friend
My first experience on this route came from an invitation by a running friend who brought me along to a privately organized half marathon. (More about this in the post “Fulda Half Marathon 2018.”) The beautiful nature and path along the Fulda River make this run special. Once you’ve reached the halfway point, you enter the “No Return” zone: after eleven kilometers, there’s no escape. You can choose to turn back or press on, but in either case, you’ll complete the full half marathon distance. This is the challenge of this route—there’s no way out. Once you start, you have to see it through to the end.
The Appeal of the Unavoidable
For me, the inescapable aspect is what makes this route so compelling. A half marathon is always a mental challenge, and sometimes you might not feel fully prepared for the whole distance. Ten kilometers are usually no problem, but on this route, there’s no room for “changing plans.” The Fulda River itself prevents any shortcuts. So even if I’m tempted to slow down mid-run, I know I must finish. There’s a unique sense of pride in completing this course—it’s more than just a run; it’s a triumph over the inner voice urging you to stop.
By clicking on the following map, you can see the route at kommot in detail.
