Solidarity in running shoes

HITS running team raises 10,000 Euros for cancer research in first virtual NCT Run – Klaus Tschira Foundation sponsors each team kilometer with 25 Euros on the occasion of its 25^th anniversary

Once a year it draws the running crowds: the annual run of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg is one of the most popular charity events in the region. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s run had to be re-organized as a virtual three-day-event from 26-28 June: separated by distance but united in spirit, almost 9,000 participants ran a total of 120,000 kilometers individually or in small groups, following a route of their own choice.

Among them were also 30 staff members of the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), who were particularly motivated: On the occasion of its 25^th anniversary the Klaus Tschira Foundation had decided to sponsor each staff kilometer with 25 Euros. And the running team did not need to be told twice: In keeping with the team slogan „Run beyond the limits“ they completed a distance of 427 kilometers and thus raised a donation total of 10,675 Euros for cancer research. The best moments of this first virtual NCT Run are preserved for posterity in the following video: Click here for the video on YouTube.

About the Klaus Tschira Foundation

The German foundation Klaus Tschira Stiftung supports natural sciences, mathematics and computer science and the appreciation of these subjects. It was founded in 1995 by physicist and SAP co-founder Klaus Tschira (1940–2015) by private means. Its three priorities are: education, research, and science communication. This commitment begins in kindergarten and continues in schools, universities and research institutions throughout Germany. The foundation advocates the dialogue between science and society. Further information (in German) at: www.klaus-tschira-stiftung.de