Speed, spirit, scorching sun: Adizero Track Festival 2025
The second edition of last year's premiere - then known as the adizero Summer Games - is back on the track under a new name. The adizero Track Festival impressively demonstrated that the 2024 vision has come to fruition: more elite athletes, more international class, and once again an atmosphere reminiscent of major meets.
Words: Lukas Motschmann
Photos: Florian Kurrasch
It was clear from the start that the field would be stronger this year. Jona Bodirsky and Katie Reinsberger were two top athletes at the start, bringing not only national but also international experience. The elite field was complemented by competitors from France, who were happy to travel long distances for fast times. The mix of top-class individual starters, ambitious running crews, and an energetic crowd made the festival a real treat.
“We wanted to bring even more elite athletes to the start line and at the same time involve the community more closely - that worked perfectly today.”
- Michel Nouguier
The compact program, featuring 800m, mile, 3000m, and, for the first time, 5000m races, as well as the 4x400m relay, proved once again that track and field can be exciting for more than just die-hard stadium fans. Thanks to the cooperation of adidas Runners Munich and LG Stadtwerke Munich, the organization ran smoothly. "We wanted to bring even more elite athletes to the start line while simultaneously engaging the community more closely – that worked perfectly today," summarized adidas Runners Captain Michel Nouguier with satisfaction. Partners such as yfood, reboots, Vitamin Well, and, of course, adidas, contributed to the feel of a professional and established meet.
The conditions this time, however, were anything but easy. Where last year a thunderstorm dominated the second half of the evening, this year's event was sweltering. Temperatures well over 30 degrees Celsius challenged not only the athletes but also the vociferously supporting spectators. Nevertheless, there were again numerous personal bests and sound barriers broken.
"I wanted to use the race as a pace boost in my half marathon preparation. It was a good test ahead of Copenhagen."
- Jona Bodirsky
For Jona Bodirsky, the 5000m start wasn't a goal-setting race, but rather a deliberately chosen training stimulus. "I wanted to use the race as a speed boost in my half marathon preparation. It was a good test for Copenhagen," he explained after the race, which he ran in shoes rather than spikes to protect his muscles. In five weeks, he aims to run almost the same pace over the 21.1km.
Mona Mayer once again made a special story. After last year's Olympic Games, she was a celebrity guest, but this time she competed in the 4x400m relay herself - and showed that she can do more than "just" cheer. In the subsequent interview, she revealed that she considers a time under 2:05 minutes over 800 meters to be realistic. She hasn't ruled out a possible switch to this distance either.
There was also a visual highlight for the adidas Runners Munich: an exclusive singlet that was worn for the first time at the festival and is sure to be a collector's item among the members.
If last year's plan was to establish the meet more firmly in the elite calendar, then this year's event is a big step closer. The adizero Track Festival was certainly a highlight of the year for the community and will surely have even more top stars in the starting field in 2026.
You can find all the results here .
