The alarm clock rings even before the sun climbs over the Zollikerberg and while the early birds are already warbling their song outside the window, I sleepily peel myself out of bed. I still have the 20 kilometers in my legs from the day before, when we tackled our trail running loop over the Uetliberg. But I also know that a short run helps me to get my body going again.
Swap briefcase for running rucksack
After a small breakfast, we take the bus to Bürkliplatz, where we are released into the hustle and bustle. People in suits and blazers hurry to work between the bus and streetcar, cabs honk their horns, streetcars rattle along the tracks. Although the lake next door glistens in the first rays of the morning sun, hardly anyone seems to have time for it. A quick coffee-to-go and off to the office. In our running gear, we stand out like colorful dogs and I almost feel a little out of place.
Schanzengraben: A little break in the middle of the city
We escape the hustle and bustle and dive into the Schanzengraben. The former 17th century moat now meanders idyllically through the city center - almost like a secret Venice with calm water, small boats and charming city facades. Suddenly the traffic and all the hustle and bustle seem far away. Just us, the water and our rhythmic walking movements.
At the old botanical garden, which belongs to the University of Zurich and was laid out back in the 19th century, we find ourselves in another world for a few minutes. Today, the garden is a protected monument and a green oasis with rare plants in the middle of the city center. The gravel crunches under our shoes as we follow our route surrounded by leaves, palm trees and spring colors in the shade of the surrounding buildings. It is one of those places that shows that there is room for nature even in the middle of the city.
We continue along the promenade along the Schanzengraben. In warm temperatures, this gem is full of people at lunchtime, looking to relax and dip their feet in the cool water. This early in the day, however, we only share the path with a few ducks going about their own morning routine. Our footsteps echo softly over the wooden planks and we enjoy this moment of peace. It's places like this that make city runs so special for me - I just love it when I find a place in the middle of a big city that lets me forget the hustle and bustle around me. A Zurich highlight of a special kind.
You run through the middle of Zurich's rush hour and still don't even notice it.
Marina
Urban Life
We slowly return to urban life and our run along Europaallee and through the underpass at Zurich Main Station is more like an obstacle course. We zigzag between countless commuters and are glad when we reach Platzspitzpark shortly afterwards. Once again, we immerse ourselves in an island of green and are dazzled by the glistening rays of sunshine on the Limmat, which flows leisurely beside us.
Polybahn and ETH
But we wouldn't be in Switzerland if we weren't going uphill sometimes. My legs protest and get heavier with every step as we tackle one flight of stairs after another up to the ETH. As we pass the mountain station of the Polybahn and a swarm of commuters steps onto the path in front of us, I am briefly envious - I would have loved to have covered the 41-metre difference in altitude on the iconic little train. But we're not here to take a shortcut.
We take a short break at the top of the Polyterrasse because we can't simply ignore the view from up here. The view over the rooftops of the city and the glistening lake in the morning sun is simply magnificent. The television tower, which sits enthroned on the Uetliberg, beckons from opposite.
And then it's downhill, through narrow old town alleyways, past picturesque house entrances and over cobbled streets. The Limmat flashes between the rows of houses as we head for Bürkliplatz. The big Ferris wheel is already waiting there, serving as a guide for the last few meters until we reach the destination of our urban run - the Bürkliterrasse, the box seat on Lake Zurich. And the day has only just begun - time for a second breakfast at John Baker.
