Correr en Fráncfort: guía práctica con Florian Neuschwander

Located at the heart of Europe, Germany’s fifth largest city is at once a city of contrasts and comfort.

A thriving music scene sits alongside the economic muscle of European Central Bank. And at the steps of the 19th-century Alte Oper concert hall, you can gaze in wonder at soaring skyscrapers of steel and glass.

This is a place where big business meets grand culture, attracting the world’s best and brightest at an ever-increasing rate. Little wonder, then, that it is the place record-setting runner Florian Neuschwander called home for five glorious years.

Back in the city to show us his home turf, Florian invites you to run his three favorite routes in Frankfurt. Complete the routes and secure exclusive prizes now:

Meet your guides

Florian moved to Frankfurt in 2014. He remembers with a smile the changes it brought to both his running career and his personal life.

“I had a great time in Frankfurt, it’s where I really started my ultra-running career, with the 2015 Wings for Life World Run in Darmstadt”, says Florian.

“It’s also where I became a dad. My wife and I lived here, so it’s always great to come back to the city, feel the vibes and meet people you know.” In 2018, Florian and his family moved to the Alps.

"Most of the time now, I’m training alone, so it’s nice to run together in the city on my old routes. Running along the river Main brings back some great memories.”

Frankfurt, says Florian, is a city of choices: “You can run in the city, or in greenery like Grüneburgpark. You can also be on your own on the trails just a bit outside of the stress of the city, in places such as the Frankfurter Stadtwald (Frankfurt City Forest).”

Las tres mejores rutas de running en Fráncfort (según Florian):

5km Main Panorama

Florian’s first route is Frankfurt’s most famous. He has run it thousands of times, taking in the scenery along the banks of the Main on an almost entirely flat route.

“You always meet a lot of other runners here. The skyline view is awesome, and because it’s flat you can go fast if you want to.”

“When we started with our Monday Community Run at Frankfurter Laufshop, I created eight short Strava Segments where you can test yourself from bridge to bridge on the Sachenhausern Ufer side”, says Florian.

Ruta de carrera 1: Vistas del Meno, 5 km

Ver en Strava

Some runners even race against the boats on the river. And for those wanting a longer run, Florian recommends taking one of the next bridges along or simply completing an extra loop. 

“If you want to take it easy, just meet a friend and run along together. You can always run this route, whatever time of day and whatever the weather. I’ve had so many good moments here.”

Florian's second route takes us out of the city into the nearby city forest.

15km Ab ins Grüne

For a longer adventure, Florian recommends a stunning run in Frankfurter Stadtwald, Europe’s largest inner-city forest. "The city is close, but you’ll soon lose yourself in the calm and tranquility of this green haven.“

The starting point is the athletics stadium from my old running club Spiridon Frankfurt. It brings back memories: "I did lots of good workouts on this 400m track.”

Florian explains: “From there, you’re in the forest in a second. Then you can run however long you want. The Stadtwald seems to have endless forest roads and some nice little trails, too.”

The forest was home to some of Flo’s most grueling training sessions, including tempo runs and long runs. Twice he ran the full 67km Grüngürtel Ring bike path, recording the course record of 4:36 hours with an average pace of 4:06 minutes per kilometer.

Ruta de carrera 2: Ab ins Grüne, 15 km

Ver en Strava

Y no te pierdas la Goetheturm, una gran torre de madera, para disfrutar de una vista impresionante de la ciudad de Fráncfort. A pesar de toda su experiencia, Florian sigue teniendo una ambición pendiente en Ab ins Grüne: nunca ha cruzado el Jacobiweiher cuando está helado. "¡Creo que tengo que volver en invierno para conseguir esa corona del segmento en Strava!".

For the third route, it's back to the city center.

10km The Urban Jungle

 For his final run, Florian is joined by Ambika for a 10km route through the center of Frankfurt.

“You see everything. Old buildings, skyscrapers, parks, cafes, busy places and calm places. It’s a perfect course to explore the city”, says Flo.

“You get a combination of city and parks in London, but Frankfurt is different and the Grüneburgpark is very nice to run. It’s not big, but it’s nice and calm. I like to really run through the city and feel the rush. In the parks, you can relax a bit.”

Ambika admits to being impressed by the triple change of scenery on this route. “You see so much in such a short period of time. From running the gardens and being fully embedded in nature to suddenly being among the tall buildings, and then ending at such a pinnacle spot in Frankfurt.”

Ruta de carrera 3: La jungla urbana, 10 km

Ver en Strava

“The whole route is so easy to access, there aren’t many traffic lights to conquer, it’s nice and flat and it’s also a cultural experience.”

“The botanical garden reminds me of those in Singapore. There are some beautiful things – like the flower sanctuary, otters in the pond and the outdoor theatre – to observe along the way.”

Ambika adds: “I’m a morning girl, so I like to do this one early. It can get busy in the evenings (especially in the Old Town), so you’ll have to do some people dodging – but it’s totally possible.”

Visitas imprescindibles en Fráncfort 

Florian sugiere:

Goetheturm (Torre de Goethe)\: "Está a solo 4 km de la ciudad y puedes hacer una bonita ruta de senderismo y disfrutar del silencio. Desde lo alto de la torre se pueden contemplar unas vistas estupendas de la ciudad".

Picknickbank\: "Un pequeño y agradable restaurante con deliciosa comida vegana. Hay dos en la ciudad y merece la pena visitarlos".

Frankfurter Laufshop\: "El lugar al que acudir para obtener los mejores consejos y equipamiento para correr en Fráncfort. Una visita obligada los lunes para la carrera comunitaria. También podrás tomarte un buen café a la vuelta de la esquina".

Ambika es fan de los siguientes locales:

Bares: “Merece la pena visitar Hunky Dory, Waxy’s, Eschenheimer Turm y Kiwis”.

Restaurantes: "Prueba Yoffi, Gioia, Elaine’s Deli, Naiv Pizza o Vevay".

Cafeterías: "Bunca, Hoppenworth & Polch y Wackers son estupendas".

Florian’s top three running tips

1. “Start slowly and run with someone else. Make sure you’re having fun and running together.” 

2. “Don’t stress too much about times, heart rates and other things you can measure. Just go out first and do very easy runs.” 

3. “Always try new routes, trails or hiking paths to explore your city or where you live. You see so much more when you go outside and run.”    

What Florian is wearing

Discover Ambika's Outfit

Be part of the Run the City Frankfurt challenge and win exclusive On prizes.

Run Florian’s routes between July 5 and August 8 and take part in our exclusive prize draw. There are great prizes to be won for each route. Choose your route, run it and then upload your activity screenshot or link for a chance to win.

And remember, if you run all the routes, you increase your chances of winning.

What can be won on each route? 

5km Route Main-Panorama: 3 On outfits and Garmin watch

15km Route Ab ins Grüne: 3 On shoes and Garmin watch

10km Route The Urban Jungle: 3x Frankfurt Marathon entries, on-outfits and Garmin watch

Feel free to share your run by tagging @on_running and using #FFMisOn. Every route has a story. Create yours with On.

The registration is closed!