21 hours:

From Wiesen to Mariazell at record speed

Karl Dorfmeister, Helmut Wittmann, Gerhard Bruckner in front of the "Luckerten Cross" at the Mariazell town sign.(Bild: Privat/zVg)

Three men covered the 96-kilometer pilgrimage route to Austria's most important place of pilgrimage in 21 hours. The route led via Neudörfl, Wiener Neustadt, Puchberg am Schneeberg, Schwarzau im Gebirge, Gscheidl, Lahnsattel and Terz to Mariazell.

Interest in pilgrimages is greater than ever. While pilgrims used to visit holy places for purely religious reasons, modern pilgrims appreciate the experience of taking on a challenge that they have finally overcome. Pilgrimage has long since become a lifestyle event, for many especially from a sporting point of view.

Failed on the first attempt
This was also the case for Karl Dorfmeister from Wiesen, who set himself a very special goal. Last year, he failed on his record-breaking one-day march from Wiesen to Mariazell and had to spend the night.

Success this year
But with better preparation, more enthusiasm in his luggage and two fellow hikers - his uncle Helmut Wittmann and his friend Gerhard Bruckner - the man from Wiesen made it this year: he covered the 96-kilometre route from Wiesen to Mariazell in 21 hours, 19 of which were pure walking time.

Start at 11 pm
The trio set off from their home town at 11pm. The route took them via Neudörfl, Wiener Neustadt, Puchberg am Schneeberg, Schwarzau im Gebirge, Gscheidl, Lahnsattel and Terz to Mariazell. After 21 hours, at 8 p.m., the three marchers arrived in Mariazell in front of the basilica - exhausted and tired, but full of pride, they finally went to their hotel after the exertions.

Incidentally, more than a million people come to Austria's most important pilgrimage site, Mariazell, every year.