Katronic at the 48th Harz Mountain Run: A Sporting Tradition in the Golden Colors of Fall
Six Katronic employees took part in the traditional Harz Mountain Run in Wernigerode on October 10, 2026. Under brilliant fall skies, the event was all about staying active, enjoying nature, and spending time together.
Exploring the Harz Mountains Together in the Fall
The Harz Mountain Run has long been a fixture on the annual calendar. For the 48th edition, six employees once again joined the event. Four took on the 11-kilometer hike, while two colleagues participated in the 11-kilometer run. Four participants came from Katronic’s Wernigerode location, while two traveled from the company’s UK headquarters in Coventry. Katronic’s founder and CEO, Karsten Frahn, also completed his traditional 11-kilometer run once again.
With blue skies and pleasantly mild temperatures, the forest, dressed in its fall colors, provided ideal conditions for the event. The Harz Mountain Run attracted a total of 3,951 registered participants. In addition to the Brocken Marathon, which drew 791 participants, there were numerous other running and hiking routes to choose from.
One particularly memorable moment came from our UK colleague Giles. So impressed by the scenery and the hike, he spontaneously decided to take another lap through the forest after completing the initial 11 kilometers—this time in the opposite direction. The hike also held special personal significance for Giles. His uncle Frederick, known as Freddie, served as a soldier in the British occupation zone toward the end of World War II. As a radio operator and sniper, he carried out numerous reconnaissance missions in the Harz Mountains, often traveling on wooden skis during the winter months.
For Giles, the hike became an emotional connection to his family’s history. It also served as a reminder of how closely intertwined the histories of Germany and Great Britain are. Today, at this historically significant location, we are united by the spirit of friendship and collaboration that defines our international team.
The morning’s activities came to a fitting close with finisher medals, certificates, and a well-deserved beer in the fall sunshine. But the event was about more than athletic achievement. Shared experiences like these strengthen team spirit and provide valuable team-building opportunities. In particular, the exchange between our German and British colleagues fosters mutual understanding and helps us grow closer as one team, across national borders.
A big thank-you to the entire organizing team! We’re already looking forward to the 2027 Harz Mountain Run!
Image sources: conceptfoto matthias bein, Harz-Gebirgslauf 1978 e.V., Katronic
