Lena Ritzel

Lena Ritzel fulfilled a long-awaited dream in November 2023: After she was finally infected by the mountains after six weeks working in a hut on the Hallerangerhaus, she decided to move to Kempten, her new, current adopted home - the Allgäu. In the process, she also discovered trail running for herself.

What particularly appeals to her about trail running? For Lena Ritzel, the sport offers the perfect opportunity to constantly face new challenges and achieve her own sporting goals with joy, courage and ease. "Trail running also offers an incredible amount of variety. The landscapes that you explore while running uphill and downhill are usually breathtaking and the trail running community is incredibly warm and motivating at the same time," enthuses Lena Ritzel about her newly discovered passion.

It's only logical that the ambitious athlete's successes were not long in coming. At the Zugspitzultratrail in 2023, she landed directly on the podium at the Grainau Trail. This was also the decisive moment for Lena when she decided to become active in trail running as well as road running, which was immediately followed by participation in the Walser Trail Challenge and the Karwendel March. We are delighted to have Lena on the LOWA TRAIL RACERS team and to be able to accompany and support her on exciting trails and in her sporting career as an athlete.

Lena Ritzel,

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST TRAILRUNNING EXPERIENCE?
"One highlight was definitely the Karwendelmarsch last year, which was the ultimate challenge and experience for me because of the route. It was my first marathon and ultra run at the time. Apart from that, I have fond memories of the many mornings at the Hallerangerhaus. Running alone, in peace and quiet and sometimes at sunrise in this landscape - that was great!"

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIP FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START TRAIL RUNNING?
"Firstly, test yourself on less technical terrain and choose short, easier races to start with. There are often great trails for beginners here. In alpine terrain, plan the route well, check the weather beforehand and get advice on footwear. If, like me, you come from the low mountain range, simply deviate from the main paths in the forest and explore the small trails."

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME YOUR INNER PIG DOG WHEN TRAINING?
"Answer the why. Visualise goals, think about the feeling afterwards, create routines. Don't see anything as an obligation or compulsion. If the motivation doesn't come or isn't there - which is really rare for me - it's absolutely fine to give in sometimes. Because there's usually a reason for it."

DO YOU HAVE A role model?
"Sabrina Mockenhaupt aka "Mocki" has been a runner I've looked up to since my youth and who has always been present with her incredibly authentic, direct manner, her humour and of course her impressive successes. She has lived and loved running for years like no one else."

WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR?
"I'm grateful for my family, friends, being healthy, having a passion like running, being able to pursue my wishes and dreams and for all the support I receive, such as this cooperation with ATR by LOWA. And of course for being able to call the Allgäu and this incredible landscape my new home and this really great start here, which shows me that it was worth having the courage to try something new."

WHICH TOUR OR RUNNING ROUTE CAN YOU RECOMMEND? AND WHY?
"In Kempten, I like to run along the Bachtelweiher, the Iller or the Mariaberg. A great trail running circuit starts and ends at the Weißensee lake, leads over the Alatsee, the Salober Alm, the Zirmgrat and Falkenstein Castle and offers great views of the Füssen lakes and the Breitenberg."

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOWA SHOE?
"Definitely the LOWA CITUX, which impresses me above all with its super grip and stability, as well as its dynamism and low weight."