Hot Foot Run in Cologne 2024

In my last weekly review, I reported on my new challenge – the IronRace in the Harz Mountains. I took this opportunity to report on the fun run called the Hot Foot Run in Cologne in 2024. This blog didn't exist back then, and I'd like to share that wonderful weekend with you.

Original registration 2020

I first completed the run – then called the StrongMen Run – in 2019. Trained and fit, I finished in just over 50 minutes. I remember the halfpipe as being particularly fun. The "simple" run up after 7 km led to long lines before the obstacle.

My group and I registered for the renamed Hot Foot Run for the following year, 2020. Initially, we had to postpone due to the COVID pandemic. Then, we had to get four people to work together. For the 2024 race, everyone could participate on the start date—jippie.

Training preparation in 2024

I ran regularly throughout the year, and my fitness was good. In the summer, I wanted to switch from monotonous running to HIIT. That meant running slowly two or three times weekly and doing intensive sprint interval training. I completely overestimated myself with the latter. I developed an infection in my left foot and had to stop all training sessions six weeks before the start. That wasn't very pleasant.

Competition day

So, after weeks without training and a sore foot, I competed at the end of August. Postponing it again wasn't an option. The day was terrific. We had bright sunshine, about 26 degrees Celsius, starting at 1 p.m., and some obstacles were in the water—simply fantastic conditions.

I started utterly overconfident, running at just over a 4-kilometer pace. This went well initially, thanks to my good mood and adrenaline. The only annoying thing was that most of the obstacles were in the last third of the course, where I lacked energy. Thanks to the consideration of my teammates, I fought my way through the parkour. We crossed the finish line simultaneously at the 60-minute mark. It was a wonderful feeling!

Anecdotes about the journey

Anyone who goes on a journey has a story to tell. That was the case for me. The day of arrival was already Friday. We had booked a FlixTrain, which was delayed by a comfortable three hours because a carriage had to be removed halfway through. So we found ourselves at a small train station in the middle of nowhere, with no bakery or similar nearby, and worried about our onward journey.

Things got even better on the day of our return trip. On Sunday, an hour before the start of the journey, the FlixTrain team sent us a short and simple message: Your train is canceled, and we have no alternative for today. Sorry. To add a certain amount of drama to the whole thing, it's important to mention that my flight to China was scheduled for Monday morning. Therefore, a return trip the next day was not an option.

Deutsche Bahn saved us. With an ICE train that ran on time, we arrived in Hamburg faster and, therefore, earlier than planned. The only thing to remember is the price compared to the FlixTrain – €300 instead of €60.

Event Location

The race was held in a fantastic local recreation area with many meadows and a lake. Thanks to the sunshine, it was perfect for relaxing afterward. We were also able to experience an Iranian festival on site, which hundreds of people had traveled to from near and far. There was live music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere.

The festival was independent of our event. One of the revelers was kind enough to explain that the Iranian community had gathered here to have fun and celebrate. It was magical, colorful, and wonderful to watch while we recovered from exhaustion in the shade.