Electrifying premiere of the Adizero Summer Games in Munich
The first edition of the Adizero Summer Games in Munich was a complete success. The collaboration of running crews, attractive partners and an electrifying atmosphere led to numerous personal bests and makes us want to attend more track events of this kind.
Words: Lukas Motschmann
Photos: Florian Kurrasch
“Back to track!” - The premiere of the adizero Summer Games in the Dante Stadium was a refreshing approach to making running in the stadium more attractive for the community. The implementation was a team effort by the adidas Runners Munich, who were primarily responsible for the concept, and the LG Stadtwerke Munich, who supported the implementation. The program included several time trials over 800m, 1500m, 3000m and a final 6x400m mixed relay.
In addition to various running crews, such as Kraftrunners & bold.running, the partners feels.like, yfood, Maurten and Vitamin Well also created an atmosphere that is otherwise only known from renowned road races. The Olympian in the 4x400m, Mona Mayer, also enthusiastically noted this: "I think it's great that so many runners are running on the track again!"
“I think it’s great that so many runners are running on the track again!”
- Mona Mayer
The concluding unconventional 6x400m mixed relay was symbolic of the revolutionary idea: combining classic components with new concepts in order to create more enthusiasm for track racing.
Despite the thunderstorm that occurred in the second half of the compact evening, thanks to the good atmosphere and loud cheering from the fans dancing on the track, there were even numerous sound barriers broken and personal best times achieved at the end.
How can the event be topped next year?
Michel Nouguier, head coach of the adidas Runners Munich, gave a brief outlook: "We want to set new standards with this event - which we have already partially succeeded in doing this year. We have noticed that there is a lot of potential here. Next year, the adizero Summer Games should be held at an earlier date with more lead time and the learnings that we take with us, so that they become a fixed date in the competition calendar for elite athletes too."
