Jonas Lehmann from Hausach: “Running is the element of communication” – Kinzigtal

Usually, Jonas Lehmann runs for Roadrunners Südbaden. However, for now, the Hausach native is doing his year of “work and travel” in New Zealand. But he also participates in competitions there – and gets money.

Mr. Lyman, why are you currently in New Zealand?

I am a trained carpenter and work here as such. I am here on a business and travel visa that is valid for one year. Since I’m under 30, I was still able to apply for it. All this happened very quickly. After two or three days, I received the notification, and then immediately booked immigration flights for about a year, and looked for an apartment and an employer. Since there are so many job vacancies here in New Zealand it was very easy to find a job. I have now been living here in Wellington with my girlfriend since early November and will be staying until mid August this year.

Mr. Lehmann, did you plan to participate in sports competitions before your trip?

I certainly intended to. I was already looking for a running club when I was in Germany. I am now with Wellington Scot. And I also planned to participate in competitions. As there are a lot of running events here, and Wellington is a very sporty city, that obviously played into my hands.

Can you join a New Zealand club as a foreigner?

The Wellington Scots were very open minded. I’m not the only one from another country I run with. There are also many Australians and Englishmen. I then rehearsed two or three times and then decided it would fit in and was then greeted with open arms. All I had to do was sign a membership contract and now pay the membership fee regularly. Otherwise, as in Germany, it’s an ordinary club of people, a community that gets together to run.

What prompted you to run competitively in another country?

I think with running you can get to know the landscape in a completely different way, especially when you’re involved in a trail or mountain run. Running also gives you a chance to meet and talk to local runners. Running and training together make a great community.

What was your first race in New Zealand and how did it fare for you?

That was too early. Here, in Wellington and also in the surrounding area, park walks are held every Saturday. Surprisingly, I won right away. That was a five kilometer run with about 250 participants, and yeah, that was really cool, so to speak.

How many competitions have you played in New Zealand so far and with what result?

About 15. Since I’ve been here for about a year, I try to take everything I can with me. Also in terms of events and cultural excursions. I try to make the most of my time in New Zealand. How I do in competitions varies. She also competed in the New Zealand Championship and the Wellington Championship. So I’m more in the middle. But I’m ahead in the general competitions.

How did you receive your local competitors?

very good. Of course, in the beginning there was little, or still is, a language barrier. But running is the element of communication and that made me very well received. I was also invited to corporate tours or taken to corporate competitions. They are definitely open to new contestants. I wouldn’t call contacts through co-running groups close friends, but good running buddies.

Is the running culture in Germany different from that in New Zealand?

No more train journeys take place here, which is a rarity in Germany, or at least in the Black Forest. Otherwise, it is similar. There are regular fun tracks like the Kinzigtal track or the Käppeleberg race. Perhaps one difference is that the races are received with more enthusiasm. The Käppeleberg race will immediately have 300 to 400 participants. Of course, the catchment area here is larger, after all we are in the capital. But yes: the enthusiasm for running is even greater in New Zealand. And although there are two or three rounds here and in the surrounding area each week, every event is really well attended.

What do you want to take with you from New Zealand to Germany?

I find the openness to other cultures and ways of life here impressive. Teamwork is always very friendly. Everyone uses first name terms and when you say hello, you first ask yourself how you are — regardless of whether or not you know each other.

to a person

Jonas Lehmann was born in 1995 in Hausach but currently lives in Ulm. He has been with “Roadrunners Südbaden” since 2015. In the Baden-Württemberg Trail Championships two years ago, he became runner-up. In 2019 he won the Käppeleberg. At ‘Round the Bays’ in Wellington last weekend, Jonas Lehmann finished seventh with a time of 1:14:03 hours – his personal half marathon best. Prior to that, he even managed to cross the finish line as the winner of the “Honest 10” race.