A talk in Bad Erlach: 305 kilometres around Mont Blanc

PTL 2024: a talk about the impossible

On 11 January 2025, I spoke at Kulturzentrum Hacker Haus in my home town of Bad Erlach about one of the most intense experiences of my life: the 2024 Petite Trotte à Léon (PTL).

305 kilometres. 25,000 metres of climbing. Non-stop.

The PTL is considered one of trail running’s toughest challenges. 305 kilometres around Mont Blanc, 25,000 metres of climbing, without a marked course or aid stations, with just a teammate and what you can carry yourself.

My running partner Tom Wagner and I took on the challenge and finished in second place.

How does it feel to run through the night for days?

That was what the many visitors to Hacker Haus wanted to know. Through pictures and personal stories, I tried to convey both the fascination and the depths of such an adventure:

• Mental limits: moments when your body reaches its absolute limits and you keep going
• The beauty of the Alps: sunrises over Mont Blanc that make you forget the pain
• Teamwork in extreme conditions: why you cannot run the PTL alone and what true partnership means in a crisis
• The big question: why? What drives a person to choose such hardship?

#lifeworktrailbalance in practice

As an IT entrepreneur and father, balancing work, family and sport is always part of my life. I also discussed how lessons from 305 kilometres apply directly to everyday business, and vice versa.

Thank you, Bad Erlach

It was a special evening, thanks as much to the audience’s enthusiasm as to the subject. Admission was free, and visitors showed their appreciation through voluntary donations. Thank you to the municipality of Bad Erlach for organising it!

Read the original report from Bad Erlach.