wayan

For the runners of the world who have a layover at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), here are simple instructions to have a great Frankfurt Layover Running Adventure between your long-haul international flights (or any trip for that matter).



1. Plan ahead. Know your speed and distance and use Google Maps to plot your run. There are a number of trails around the airport and bridges across the Main river with pedestrian walkways where you can cross into Frankfurt. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn can return you to the airport as well, just plan ahead as both are confusing.

Here are two runs I did as a guide for your adventures:

• 9 miles: FRA to Downtown
• 18 miles along the Main River

2. Change and store luggage. Be sure to pack your running gear in your carry on luggage (wear your running shoes) and store your carry on at the baggage storage area in the A wing of the airport.

3. Take the Steigenberger Airport Hotel bus to the hotel and start your run from there. Its right next to the main running trails from the airport and is beyond all the autobahn traffic that can get you lost or run over.

4. Run! Enjoy the scenery as you run thought the Frankfurt City Forest, and depending on your distance, the Main River and Frankfurt am Main itself.

5. Take the SBahn back to the airport. If you took a few Euros you can buy a ticket back to the airport on the SBahn. It will bring you back to the airport terminal, which from there you have three choices.

6. Shower and optional massage: After you're back at the airport terminal all hot and sweaty, you have three options to get cleaned up:

1. Shower at one of the public showers in the terminal
2. Shower in one of the airport lounges (Lufthansa Welcome Lounge is amazing!)
3. Go back to the hotel and get a long massage and hot shower before flying out (my recommendation)

7. Continue your trip. What better way to fly onward and really enjoy the inflight drinks, than with a post-run high? I hope to see you next flight, with a smile as you remember your Frankfurt Layover Running Adventure.

Wayan

Jasper2009

^

When I first read "how to run" and "FRA" I first thought yet another post about FRA airport, tight connections etc.

Definitely an interesting alternative to the C/SEN lounge!

wayan

Yes it is. On layovers, I never stay in the airport - too much like being stuck in a plane - though my adventures have changed a bit. My LAX layover done right was a whole other experience.

wayan

I now do this run every time I fly through Frankfurt. Yes, even in the rain and the snow, and keep getting faster. Nice.

magiciansampras

Very nice. ^

Zeehe

Would you mind sharing your track as an inspiration for possible paths to take? I find this idea very intriguing.

Bear96

Thanks - very cool! I love running in new places.

fwh

Very nice.

Zeehe

I really think this is a great idea. I'm still hoping to find out which actual track you used. I have the slight suspicion that I should be able to see it on http://runkeeper.com/user/Wayan/activity/18457223 (which would explain why you didn't answer to my question), but actually I don't. All I see is the statistics (9.03mi, 1:17, ...), and an empty area underneath. Is this where I should see the track itself? Does it only work after logging in?

Zeehe

I looked through the source code of the page. Indeed there is a javascript reference to a very long URl, which results in Error 414: "The requested URL /maps/api/staticmap... is too large to process. That’s all we know." when opening it directly. Presumably this is the reason why I can't see the map. Happens with all browsers here.

For reference the URL in question is http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/....11576,8.69522

wayan

Not sure your issue in seeing the route. I can see it fine on Firefox and Chrome, signed out and after cache clearing. Anyway, here is a screenshot of the best route

EmailKid

Since I don't normally visit this forum, I just stumbled upon it after a thread I subscribed to was moved to Germany forum.

And I must say, this is a great post, and I may try to do the trail some day ^

EmailKid

LH738

Great info.

thescottfree

Thanks Wayan! I did this run starting in the forest based on your recommendation....just walked out of Terminal 1 then followed the roads. I had to cross a couple of one-lane access roads, but nothing major. Once in the woods, the trails are well maintained & numerous. I only saw 2 people in my first 30 mins. Trails are laid out in a grid, so getting lost seems to be quite difficult. Great 2 hr meandering run.

I just took the train back to the airport for 4 EUR.

mountaingrl

Thanks Wayan, great suggestion for heading out for a run during a FRA layover! We did runs on both of our recent layovers in FRA - found the trails in the woods nearby easily with a GPS and did two different runs both about 12 km (turned around at the river and ran back to the terminal). During our layover yesterday we were in the LH Hon First lounge which made for a funny site as we left the lounge in our running gear (shorts included!) and came back fairly wet from the constant light rain during our run! But great way to rejuvenate between 9.5+ hr flights!