Running the Via Alpina — 2,000 km
Posted on
18/07/2025
This summer, two fearless adventurers and friends — Magdalena Kalus (Maggy) and Susann Lehmann (Susi) — are taking on the biggest challenge of their lives.
Based in the Bavarian Alps near Walchensee and Kochelsee, Maggy and Susi live and breathe mountains. From sunrise trail runs to brutal 300 km ultra races and multi-day adventures, running is not just a sport for them — it’s a way of life, a calling, and a deep passion.
On July 1st, they began their adventure to run 2,000 kilometers with 120,000 meters of vertical gain along the Via Alpina, crossing the entire Alps from Trieste to Monaco — and doing it as fast as possible!
Their mission? To prove that limits exist only in our minds and that women, too, can achieve greatness in the world of extreme endurance sports. On the legendary Via Alpina — the longest long-distance hiking trail in the European Alps — they aim to cross all eight Alpine countries, covering the equivalent of an ultramarathon with 3,000 meters of elevation gain every single day.
For this project, Maggy and Susi are bringing only the very best in terms of gear and equipment.
From chilly dawn starts to hot alpine climbs, BUFF® CoolNet UV® Multifunctional Neckwear has been a constant companion for them: on their heads, necks, wrists, or stuffed in a pocket “just in case.” Alongside that, the lightweight and versatile BUFF® 5 Panel Go Cap offers perfect protection on long sunny ridge days and keeps them cool when the heat kicks in.
BUFF® is a brand that has supported them through countless adventures, and now it’s with them every step of this Alpine journey.
Maggy and Susi are currently deep into this big adventure — last week alone, they ran for over 55 hours and have covered a total of 530 km since the beginning!
Make sure to follow their journey on Strava, and don’t forget to give a follow and lots of kudos 👍🏻 to Magdalena Kalus’s Strava account and the BUFF® Strava Club.
LINK: https://www.strava.com/clubs/827939
Maggy Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/154157770
Website: https://running-via-alpina.com/en
