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Extreme runner Sascha Gramm took on a special route on the occasion of Hesse Day in Fulda: he ran 185 kilometers in the footsteps of Saint Boniface from Mainz to Fulda – in three days.
Fulda/Mainz – When Sascha Gramm on Friday (June 12th) – just in time for the opening of Hessentag – arrives in the courtyard of the Fulda City Palace, there are around 185 kilometers behind him – and a journey that is much more than just a sporting challenge. During the Hessentag Run 2026, the Fulda extreme runner visited the place of work of St. Boniface in Mainz with his gravesite in Fulda and followed the historic Boniface route.
Sascha Gramm runs 185 kilometers in Boniface's footsteps on Hessentag
Gramm has been on the road since Tuesday (June 9th). Together with photographer Johannes Ruppel, he first traveled by train to Mainz to prepare for the special project. On Wednesday he received the travel blessing from the cathedral dean in the so-called mortuary next to Mainz Cathedral – a symbolic start to the kilometers ahead Hesse.
The first stage took the runner over 70 kilometers to Nidderau on Wednesday. On Thursday another 70 kilometers to Schotten were on the agenda. The final stage follows on Friday: A marathon takes him via Blankenau, his hometown of Hainzell as well as Kleinheilkreuz, Körbelshütte, Besges, Rodges and Haimbach to Fulda. From there it goes past the cathedral to the city palace, where he is expected in time for the opening of Hessentag.
And there a special honor awaits the runner: he can hoist the Hesse Day flag, which accompanied him throughout the entire run, in the castle courtyard. Gramm wore a Hessentag shirt throughout the route to draw attention to the state festival.
The East Hesse is accompanied on its special run by a well-rehearsed team. Johannes Ruppel documents the journey photographically from his bicycle. Both are supported by Stephan Göllmann, owner of the Ride4Life mountain bike school, who acts as technical support and motivator along the route.
Running for sustainability: Gramm sponsor plants a total of 90 trees
But the Hessentagslauf is not just a sporting project. The focus is on encounters, conversations and stories. Along the Bonifatius Route, those involved want to connect people with each other and promote exchange. The historical paths through Hesse thus become a stage for personal encounters and regional solidarity.
By the way, the idea for the run came about at the city of Fulda's sports honor. In a subsequent conversation, Gramm presented his plan to Mayor Dag Wehner. “He thought the idea was really great,” remembers the runner.
The project has a very special meaning for Gramm. “It is special for me. I have run in many countries. But a run like this right here at home – and then on the Bonifatius route. There’s definitely something about that,” says the Hainzeller.
Sustainability also plays an important role in the Hessentagslauf. The Fulda-based company WEMAG has been supporting Sascha Gramm as a partner for many years. On the occasion of its 90th anniversary, the company is combining sporting performance with an ecological contribution: a tree is planted for every two kilometers walked. The run from Mainz to Fulda creates a total of 90 new trees.
