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Community Run in Cologne: Run together with runwithfridi and spized

The running season is in full swing - and that was clearly felt at the community run hosted by runwithfridi and spized on May 2 in Cologne. In perfect running weather, Fridi’s running community met at Decksteiner Weiher for a relaxed group run - completely free of performance pressure.

Phillip Oldenburg | Running

April 16, 2026 |

On May 2, runwithfridi (top center) invited his community to a group run at Decksteiner Weiher in Cologne.

Whats’ on this page

1. Run Together: spized organizes Community Run by "runwithfridi"

2. Community Run in Cologne – with Fridi

3. Fun beats Pace

Run Together: spized organizes Community Run by "runwithfridi"

The mild temperatures are back – and the streets and parks are already filling up with runners getting their miles in. All across Germany, people are actively logging kilometers, and Cologne is no exception.

This was once again evident on Saturday (May 2): Friedrich Smolarski – better known on Instagram as runwithfridi – invited his community and all running enthusiasts to a community run. The meeting point was at 10:30 a.m. at Haus am See at Decksteiner Weiher. From there, the group covered a 5.5-kilometer route through the green surroundings around the lake.

"Thanks to everyone who joined," Fridi later wrote on his Instagram account. He also sent a message to all his followers who would like to clock up some miles together: "That was definitely not the last time."

Community Run in Cologne – with Fridi

If you don’t know Fridi yet, feel free to check him out on Instagram or TikTok. On social media, the father of two—who rediscovered his passion for running some time ago—regularly gives his followers an honest glimpse into how he manages his daily life between work, family, and running, with all its ups and downs and a good dose of authenticity.

Last year, spized closely accompanied Fridi during his preparation for the marathon in Cologne and regularly shared updates about his journey on Instagram. A journey that reached its peak on October 5, 2025, when he successfully completed the 42.195 kilometers through Cologne wearing the spized look.

Looking back, Fridi described his rocky journey to becoming a marathon finisher on Instagram: “132 kilos. No fitness, no motivation—but plenty of excuses. Then I just started. Step by step. Run by run. Sweat, pain, setbacks—it was all part of it.” He added: “Always focus on yourself, draw motivation from others, but don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s pace or performance.”

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Fridi | Papa, Laufen & Alltag (@runwithfridi)

Fun beats Pace

This very motto was also evident at the community run in Cologne. Instead of performance pressure, the focus was on running together, meeting new people, and enjoying movement. At Fridi’s run in Cologne, pace didn’t matter—it was all about the shared experience.

Fridi’s goal is to bring together people who share a passion for running and to inspire one another. This was clearly محسوس during the run: participants took the opportunity to connect, log miles together, and be part of the running community. The run was supported by spized.

Do you want to build a running routine? No stress—with the right beginner tips, getting started might be a bit easier. You can find everything you need to get started in our guide for beginner runners! For the perfect running look: design your own custom running jersey.

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