Cora Halder, Präsidentin der EDSA und Geschäftsfürerin vom DS InfoCenter,  hat den Lauclub für den internationalen DS Award 2010 nominiert. Lesen Sie hier Ihre Begründung.....

Laufclub 21, Germany

Laufclub 21 is an inclusive running and sports club for adults with Down syndrome, founded 2007 in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany. Originally inspired by UK runner and DSI Ambassador Simon Beresford, who was the first person with Down syndrome to run the London Marathon, they started with 16 athletes and today have trained 30 marathon runners.

They offer regular training and training partnerships at many locations in Germany, led by experienced coaches. Their training methods are designed according competences of the individual athletes and ensure that everyone is able to run at their own pace. They have sprinters, middle distance runners and endurance athletes with good coaches at all levels, and can accommodate anyone who is 16 years or older. 

The Laufclub 21 has not only brought new life, other perspectives and a growing self-confidence into a constantly larger group of young adults with ds, it has also dramatically changed their image in german society. None other project involving people with ds has been so effective in getting attention from the medien. The "marathonis" are widely known throughout Germany and are excellent ds-ambassadors.

For further information visit Laufclub 21’s website at http://www.kinleanita.de/ and view also the video presentation: http://www.kinleanita.de/de/component/content/article/52-beitraege-nur-fuer-startseite/419-qmarathoni-laufq-video-clip-ueber-die-marathonis.html

On 20 and 21st March the Laufclub 21 will be taking an exceptional challenge. In relay teams they will run an “ultra” marathon totalling 156 kilometres (97 miles) along the boundary of the former Berlin Wall, raising awareness of Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day.

Cora Halder