Background
Why “Via Carolina”?
Via Carolina can be roughly translated as “The Road of Charles”– an imperial road, built by the holy Roman Emperor Karl IV as a route of travel and trade between Prague and Nuremberg in the 14th century. At that time, both cities were among the most important centres of the holy Roman empire. Today, Prague and Nuremberg are official partners. Since 2006, the annual Via Carolina Run has been taking place along the medieval route between these two cities – an event, organised under the slogan, “connecting countries, cities and people.”
Start and Finish
Start: Praha City Hall, Altstädter Ring, Saturday, 12.00 noon CET.
Finish: Nuremberg Hauptmarkt, Schöner Brunnen, Sunday, 8:30 pm CET, followed by a participants and winners ceremony.
Who can take part?
Anyone who can run a distance of 10km. Based on organisational issues, a pace of 6 minutes per each km could serve as guideline. The Via Carolina Run is set up as a team‑run, set out in stages which are each started at a fixed time. The run is ideally suited for existing teams, such as club teams, corporate running teams, and groups of friends. If you are an individual runner, you could either join the ‘VCR’ team, or you will be allocated to teams still looking for additional runners. Of course, you can also build a mixed group by yourselves.
Route Profile: Ideal for Casual Runners
Apart from the start and finish line within the centres of Prague and Nuremberg, most of the route take place on quiet streets and good field and forest trails- parallel to the historic Via Carolina trade route „Goldene Straße“. The profile contains flat (along river courses), hilly and on occasion steep parts.
Our motto is that “Team Spirit is more important than the stop-watch”. Nevertheless, each participant should be prepared to run a distance of ~10km, one or two times within the 30 hours.
Nature and Culture: “Aus Böhmens Hain und Flur ...”
Shallow valleys, wide fields and deep woods – surrounded by the mountains of the Böhmer- and Oberpfälzer forest: A good way to get a better appreciation for the great Czech landscape is to listen to Smetana’s famous symphony. On the German side, a definite highlight is the Oberpfälzerwald at daybreak. Most of the checkpoints are either market places or town hall squares at small historic towns.
Runner‘s Support: Never alone, always together
Each team will provide/ receive a navigation companion at each stage for their own security. In the daytime, the runner should be escorted by an accompanying cyclist, and during night time by a route-vehicle. Each team will be responsible for providing its own bicycles and route vehicles. Campers, minibuses and bicycles are ideal.
Catering: Teams are self-catering, although snacks are provided for stage-runners
Each team is responsible for their own food during the entire event. Team members who are not running have the opportunity to buy food at one of the many small shops/ supermarkets and restaurants along the route. Legendary are the pasta parties within the campers of the respective teams. The organizing team will provide beverages, fruits, and small snacks for the finishing stage runners at each change-over point.
Individual Runners excluded? Of course not
Individual runners can either start within the team "ViaCarolinaRunning" of the organizer or with another incomplete team. Drop us a note at anmeldung [at] viacarolina.eu and we will find a suitable team for you.
Stage Points
Prague train station Smichov, Radotin, Dobrichovice, Svinare, Neumetely, Horovice, Zajecov, Strasice, Mirosov (c. 8.00-9.00pm CET), Nezvestice, Netunice, Prestice, Merklin (c. 10.30-11pm CET), Stankov, Pocinovice, Oplotec, Bela nad Radbuzou, Tillyschanz near border Eslarn (6.00am CET), Moosbach, Vohenstrauß, Lückenrieth, Wernberg, Holzhammer, Hirschau (12.00pm CET), Hahnbach, Sulzbach-Rosenberg (2.00pm CET), Neukirchen, Hartmannshof, Hersbruck, , Lauf, Behringersdorf, Nürnberg, parking area at Wöhrder Talübergang (ca. 8.00pm CET), group run to Nuremberg Hauptmarkt/Schöner Brunnen.
Route Description at Gpsies
If you would like to check out the route, please look at our download area.
Route Length
Total c. 324km - 31 stages a c. 10 km + start- (4km) and final stage (2km)
Starting Fees: 400 Euro per team
Including: Medals, time measurement and runners’ catering at change-over points (fruits, beverages, small snacks). Trophies for the best teams and special awards.