Cycling & running events in Graz, 2026

Graz Training Notes

Running: Graz runners use the Mur River Path when they want clean Z2, tempo, or 400m repeats without leaving town. The Murradweg starts near Keplerbruecke, follows R2 north, and gives asphalt that works well for intervals. Leechwald in Mariatrost is the soft-ground escape, and its half-marathon route gives 21 km with 300 m of gain. Hilmteich makes the easy start point by tram line 1. The ESN Graz running group meets every Wednesday at 17:30 at Neubaugasse 12 for an easy going run. Graz Marathon, Trail Run Graz, Summer Run Graz, and Grazathlon anchor the calendar.

Cycling: Graz riders treat the Mur cycling path R2 as the fast north-south line through the city. Route R2 runs 361 km in total, and the Tour de Mur uses it as the backbone for a 3-stage ride that covers 333 km. South Graz rolls into the Steiermark wine region with relatively flat roads, good tarmac, and long base miles. West Graz points at Plabutsch mountain, where short steep climbs and descents keep the legs honest. Schöckl gives road riders a climb to 1125 m, while Platte brings the MTB and singletrack crowd. Coffee Ride, Maghanoy, and the Biketest - Festival Graz/Schöckl keep the scene social.

Season: Spring and autumn are the best training months because Graz sits around a pleasant 20 degrees and the legs feel good for longer rides or marathon blocks. Summer gets hot up to 30°C, so locals start early, use the Old Town fountains, and keep hard intervals short unless the shade is working. The Mur River Path and Stadtpark stay useful for easy running, while Schwarzl See gives riders a southern target. Winter changes the rhythm more than the map, because the basin stays warmer than expected, gets more sunshine and less wind or rain than Vienna or Salzburg, and still lets steady Z2 happen.