Student at UAS Technikum Wien Ran from Vienna to Linz

Florian Frank, a student on the Human Factors & Sports Engineering Bachelor’s degree program at UAS Technikum Wien, has successfully completed an extraordinary running project after intensive preparation: He covered the 180-kilometer distance from Vienna to Linz in five days.

After weeks of planning, Florian Frank started his ambitious running project from Vienna to Linz on August 20, 2024. The aim was to complete the 180-kilometre route in five days, covering 36 kilometers per day in three stages. Frank took his first steps from Vienna’s third district towards the west, motivated and full of energy. But as early as the second day, after 60 kilometers, he realized in St. Pölten what physical and mental challenges still awaited him.

Milestones and mental strength

Linz drew closer with each passing day, and important milestones such as the 100-kilometer mark and the Danube crossing gave him a new boost. The moment when he realized on the third day that he was now closer to Linz than to Vienna was particularly formative – a mental breakthrough that inspired him to keep going. Supported by his parents, who provided him with water and food, he managed to overcome the physical exertions and focus on his goal.

Emotional finale: Crossing the bridge to Linz after 5 days and 180 kilometers

On the last day, Frank’s stamina was put to the test once again when the police stopped him and diverted him from the B3 main road onto a cycle path. “They told me that it was forbidden to run here and took me to a cycle path. That was another funny and nice change and gave me something to smile about over the last few kilometers.”

When Frank then ran over the bridge from Steyregg to Linz on day 5, he let his emotions run free: “I was overjoyed to have made it and to have persevered. What remains are some new positive beliefs about myself, a wonderful adventure and the motivation to plan a bigger running project,” says Florian Frank.

Running shoe planned

Florian Frank is also working on another project, the design of his own running shoe: “I want to incorporate the skills and knowledge I acquired during my studies. I’m looking forward to the support and expertise of the teaching staff in order to successfully implement this project. Who knows – maybe one day the circle will close and I’ll be competing in my own running shoe for one of my running projects,” says Frank.