Race Report: Allgäu Panorama Marathon (Half Marathon) 2025
Finally, the time had come. I travelled to the beautiful Allgäu region to participate in the Allgäu Panorama Marathon and run the half marathon there.
After an unexpectedly mixed season (caused by a nerve inflammation in my thigh earlier this year) I was finally race-ready. At last, I could start my racing season.
I knew this race wouldn’t be easy: trails, heat, altitude, and some climbing. But I wanted this race to be a fun one, without chasing new personal bests. Just enjoy.
My fuel strategy
1 x GEL 40 Apple 1:0.8 shortly before the race start
2 x GEL 40 Lemon (around km 5 and 10)
1 x CAFFEINE GEL 40 Cherry (around km 15)
Plus ELECTROLYTE SHOT Lemon for electrolyte replenishment.
All products are from MNSTRY.
I wasn’t expecting to run at my usual half marathon pace (I’m not a heat runner at all), so I took it very conservatively from the start and aimed for a 5:30–5:40/km pace. But on the first 5k, I had to adjust to 5:50 and thought to myself, 'What did I sign up for?!' That pace worked for a while, but at some point, I decided I'll just try to stay around 6:00. More wasn't possible in these conditions. To be fair, I underestimated the altitude a bit. In Estonia, we're practically at zero. Sonthofen is over 700 meters higher at its lowest point. And for someone who trains in Estonia year-round, that difference noticeable.
From kilometre 7 onward, I found my rhythm and started to enjoy it. By kilometre 10, I was in such a good flow that I stopped checking my watch and decided to just run by feel. That was great but then came the hill up to Schöllanger Burg. From afar, I could already see people walking. I decided to try running. But halfway through, I thought, 'Why the heck am I the only idiot running?' So I walked too. I lost a bit of my flow but somehow found good legs again on km 13/14. The caffeine gel did the rest.
All in all, my fueling strategy worked well. I just had to adjust the amount I was consuming. Instead of consuming the full 60 ml every 5-6 km, I reduced the amount but took it more often. I didn't want to overload my gastrointestinal tract in the heat. And that was a good decision. In addition to water, I also regularly consumed the electrolyte mix to support acid-base balance.
But on the last 4k, the sun burnt relentlessly, and I could feel how my pace slowed more and more. So the only goal was to finish, no matter the time. On the last 400 metres, I realised that I was finally back racing. That feeling was amazing. And reaching the finish line was extremely rewarding.
Katharina running the Allgäu Panorama half marathon. (Photo: go4it-foto)
But then? Just as I was about to leave the finish area, a lady crashed into me from behind in her final sprint. She fell, dragged me down with her, and I twisted my ankle as I hit the ground. For a few seconds, I just lay there on the ground and thought to myself: You can't be serious! Deep down, I already knew, I was out again. And that was extremely frustrating and disappointing.
Because my ankle swelled, I had to go to the emergency room for x-rays later. Yes, I certainly hadn't imagined my post-race experience like this.
The initial suspicion was a torn ligament. Thankfully, it turned out to be “just” a sprain. Still, it’s enough to affect the rest of my season. My 10k in Tallinn is off the table, and my big goal, the half marathon in Lucerne at the end of October, will likely have to be adjusted.
It's extremely frustrating. But health always comes first.
This season has been anything but what I imagined. But I'm staying positive that next season will finally bring better luck.
