We Run for Tibet 2025: A Journey of Strength and Solidarity

From March 8 to 10, 2025, We Run For Tibet united hundreds of supporters across Switzerland, including national politicians, and reached over 700,000 people through traditional and digital media. Despite falling short of Dominik Kelsang Erne's personal sports goal to finish the 385km Run due to health issues, the event had a profound impact. The event united communities and raised awareness for Tibet in an inspiring way. This far outweighs any personal disappointment and serves as a powerful motivation to organize future editions of We Run For Tibet—a run for awareness, solidarity, and freedom.

Key Facts & Figures

• What: Solidarity run for Tibet around Tibetan Uprising Day (March 10)

• When: March 8–10, 2025

• Where: Trogen → St. Gallen → Geneva

• Distance: 385 km

• Who: Dominik Kelsang Erne running the full route, supported by Tibetans, Swiss citizens, and politicians

• Why: To raise awareness and promote solidarity for the Tibetan cause

Event Outcome

On-Site Participation

• Hundreds of supporters at key locations (Winterthur, Zurich Main Station, Aarau, Fribourg).

• 28 runners actively joined the run on different stages of the route.

• 10 politicians attended in person to express their support, including:

• National Councillor Claudia Friedl

• National Councillor Barbara Gysi

• National Councillor Katharina Prelicz-Huber

• State Councillor Zurich,Mario Fehr

• Winterthur’s Mayor Michael Künzle

• Municipal Council St. Gallen Jigme Balok

• Thümi Flawil & Uzwil Tsering Balok

• Sports Commission Burgdorf: Michael Ritter, Serge Aeschbacher and Yves Aeschbacher

Virtual participation

• 101 runners joined the We Run for Tibet Strava Group, participating virtually.

• 21 politicians and VIPs endorsed the event as part of the patronage committee, including:

• Maya Graf (Council of States – Basel-Landschaft)

• Fabian Molina (National Council – Zurich)

• Katharina Prelicz-Huber (National Council – Zurich)

• Nicolas Walder (National Council – Geneva)

• Mario Fehr (State Councillor – Zurich)

• Raphaël Mahaim (National Council – Vaud)

• Jean-François Steiert (State Councillor – Fribourg)

• Francisco Rodriguez (former professional footballer)

• Norman Bücher (Famous Ultra Runner, Keynote Speaker)

• Wangpo Tethong (Tibetan activist, Executive Director International Campaign for Tibet)

• Yangzom Brauen (actress and Tibetan activist)

Media Outcome

Total Estimated Media Reach: 700,000+ people across Switzerland

Social Media:

• 100,000 views on Instagram and 25,000+ accounts reached via personal account of Dominik Kelsang Erne @swisstibetanrunner (primary account used due to the inexplicable suspension of @werunfortibet profile by Instagram).

• Additional reach through posts and stories shared by other participating accounts.

Traditional Media Coverage:

• Print Articles: Blick, Appenzeller Zeitung, Bieler Tagblatt, d’Region.

• Online Publications: Blick.ch, Swiss-running.ch (CH-FR), Swiss-running.ch (CH-DE) St. Galler Tagblatt, Aargauer Zeitung, Thurgauer Zeitung, Appenzeller Zeitung, Oltner Tagblatt, ajour.ch (Bieler Tagblatt), La liberté, nyon.ch.

In summary: We Run for Tibet 2025 was a success. It was a powerful statement of solidarity and purpose. The event not only brought together an incredible number of participants but also significantly amplified awareness and visibility for Tibet, a cause that remains as vital as ever.

The overwhelming support, both from those who joined us on the ground and those who ran alongside us virtually, proved the strength of our shared commitment. Media coverage further underscored the significance of this movement, reminding why it's important to continue to stand together for Tibet.

This was more than a run - it was a testament to resilience, unity, and the unwavering spirit of a cause that must never be forgotten.

What’s Next?

Building on the impact of We Run for Tibet, we are excited to confirm that another edition is on the horizon.

The time, format, and key details will be carefully planned and shared in due course.

For now, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported this movement—whether by running, cheering, or spreading awareness. Together, we keep running—for Tibet.

A Personal Reflection: The Journey Beyond the Finish Line

Imagine standing at the starting line of a 385km run, knowing you’re already not in peak condition—A cold, some feeling of exhaustion, coughing—but committed to the cause. The mission was clear: keep moving, for Tibet.

From the very beginning, the event became more than just a run; it was a test of endurance, both physically and mentally. After 255km (official route, 269km GPS), I made the difficult decision to stop in Fribourg due to health reasons. However, We Run for Tibet was never just about personal achievement—it was about a shared purpose. And in that sense, 2025 was a good success.

Throughout the journey, the unwavering support of communities, Tibetan associations, and political figures created unforgettable moments. The Kinderdorf Pestalozzi in Trogen, the Tibetan Institute in Rikon, and the hundreds of supporters along the route embodied the spirit of solidarity and commitment.

Want to relive the journey? Then please read hereafter the full event report, including key moments, challenges, and incredible support along the way.

Saturday, March 8

06:00 - The alarm bell goes off: “Race Day!”

I’m full of excitement but felt far from healthy, so I told myself: “The run must go on.”

07:15 – Arrival at Kinderdorf Pestalozzi, Trogen

We received a warm welcome at Kinderdorf Pestalozzi, a place deeply significant to the Tibetan community. Among those present was Wangpo Tethong’s mother, the first Tibetan to arrive here decades ago.

The event started with introductory speeches from Uwe Meya, Co-President of the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association (GSTF), and National Councillor Claudia Friedl.

After a briefing for marathon and ultramarathon runners, we walked to the start line under a perfect blue sky.

08:05 – The Journey Begins

A group of us set off together: Christian, Claudia, Dorje, Seba, Tenz, Peter, Marilu, Doron, and Simon.

09:00 – St. Gallen

We arrived in St. Gallen, where about 20 Tibetans awaited us, waving Tibetan flags and giving us katas for good luck.

After a short moment of appreciation, we continued.

10:00 – Gossau Train Station

Another Tibetan delegation awaited us at Gossau Train Station—a diverse mix of generations, from young children to elderly Tibetans. The welcoming ceremony included katas, Tibetan flags, and refreshments, including fruits prepared by Thubi.

10:40 – Flawil (Pfarrerei Zentrum)

A large crowd of around 50 people greeted us enthusiastically. Among them were Thümi Tsering Balok, and Jigme Balok, Municipal Council St.Gallen who officially welcomed us.

We enjoyed food and drinks, and the moment was so beautiful that we stayed longer than planned—over 20 minutes.

12:50 – Wil Train Station

As we arrived, we were greeted by a large and heartfelt gathering of Tibetans and Swiss supporters, including National Councillor Barbara Gysi. Their presence, their energy, and their unwavering support created an incredibly moving moment.

In Wil, the marathon runners—Tenz, Claudia, Simon, Christian, Dorje, and Marilu—completed their journey. Congratulations to each of you, and a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and support!

We all took a moment to pause and reflect, soaking in the significance of this experience—the unity, the shared purpose, and the profound sense of solidarity that had brought us all together. It was a reminder that this journey was about so much more than the distance covered—it was about standing together for Tibet.

Before setting off again, Fabio, a fellow ultrarunner and dear friend, joined us on the course, adding another layer of motivation to the journey ahead.

15.00 - Turbenthal

Around 20 Tibetans and friends were there to welcome us, offering katas, drinks, and food. Their support lifted our spirits, even though we were starting to feel the fatigue.

16.00 - Tibet Institute Rikon

Arriving at Tibet Institute Rikon was a deeply emotional and humbling experience. This place holds immense significance, and each visit fills me with a profound sense of connection—I could feel the weight of its history, and as always, it gave me goosebumps.

We were welcomed with open arms by a large gathering of Tibetans and friends, their warmth and presence making the moment even more special. The monks held a beautiful ceremony, offering katas to all runners, a gesture of blessing and encouragement that touched us deeply.

For Doron and Peter, this marked the end of their ultramarathon—they had completed their distance successfully. Huge congratulations to both!

At this point, I needed to refuel and regain some strength, so I gratefully accepted a plate of delicious pasta from the monastery and took a much-needed 20-minute rest. A big thank you to Tibet Institute Rikon and Peter for their kindness and support.

The short break helped, but as I got back on my feet, I knew one thing with certainty—the hardest part of the journey was still ahead.

From Rikon, our journey continued with a great team by my side — Fabio, Markus, and Gumbi running alongside me, while Mirjam and Malik provided support on their bikes. Their presence brought renewed energy and motivation, making every step feel a little lighter despite the growing fatigue.

I started to feel that my throat was worsening, so I tried to speak less and focused on keeping my pace steady. Coughing fits were coming and going, but I could still manage.

19.00 - Winterthur – A Moment of Strength

Arriving in Winterthur was initially confusing. At first, we didn’t see anyone waiting for us, and I started wondering if our supporters had left.

But then, we spotted a huge group of Tibetans and Swiss supporters!

It was a powerful and emotional welcome, with many Tibetan flags and katas. We had the honor of being welcomed by Winterthur’s mayor, Michael Künzle and plenty of supporters. 

The atmosphere was warm and full of energy. We enjoyed momos, drank tea, and took many photos.

Winterthur – Zurich

As we continued past Winterthur and toward Zurich, the journey became tougher. My body was getting colder, and my ribs started to ache for no clear reason. I couldn’t explain it, but I kept moving forward.

At some point, we lost our way and had to run a few extra kilometers—an unnecessary detour, but it didn’t matter much. We were still making progress.

Later, Roman and Fabio’s girlfriend joined us. That was a morale boost—having more support on the road made a difference.

I was getting cold, and Roman ran ahead to a restaurant to get me a tea. It helped immensely, warming me up just enough to keep going.

Zurich – 22:00 – A Grand Arrival

Reaching Zurich HB was one of the most incredible moments of the event.

As we entered the station, a massive crowd of supporters awaited us. It was filled with Tibetan flags, banners, and cheering voices.

We were officially welcomed by State Councillor Mario Fehr and National Councillor Katharina Prelicz-Huber.

The kata ceremony was overwhelming—so many people came to show their support, and the energy was unforgettable. 

I managed to take a 30-minute nap in the bed of the Crew Car, the Mercedes Marco Polo in an attempt to regain some strength. It was beneficial.

Despite feeling drained, I convinced myself: I can keep going.

Into the Night – Pushing Through the Darkness

As we left Zurich, I was grateful to have Pascal and Karim joining me for the long stretch ahead.

By the time we reached Dietikon, another Tibetan delegation was waiting with flags and food. We took photos and received katas, but I was getting colder and weaker.

We had to keep moving to stay warm. Luckily another friend, Reto, showed up. This gave an additional boost in this cold night.

From here, we tackled a challenging 400m climb—one of the toughest sections of the route, especially as my energy began to fade. I narrowed my focus, taking it one step at a time, reminding myself to stay steady and keep moving forward.

By 03:00, we reached Mägenwil, where our fantastic crew and their car was waiting.

We took a coffee break, ate some pasta, but our breaks were getting longer.

Aarau - Tibetan Crowd waiting for hours - warm welcome

At 05:00, we reached Aarau, three hours behind schedule. A large Tibetan crowd was still there, waiting to welcome us despite the delay. They even sang the Tibetan national hymn. This was a very emotional moment. .

On the flipside I was coughing continuously, pretty exhausted. I had to lie down and sleep for 30 minutes before continuing

Reto concluded his journey after running from Dietikon to Aarau. Thank you Reto.

08:30 – Olten – a new sunny day

We reached Olten, where I changed into fresh clothes. Pascal stopped here, but Wangpo’s son and his girlfriend joined us.

Pascal concluded his journey after running the long distance from Zurich to Olten - great effort. Thank you, Pascal!

At Murgenthal, Alex, a former teammate, joined the run. It was great to see him again.

At 14:00, we arrived in Langenthal, where Joel, a 14-year-old, joined us.

At Thörigen, Liviu-Daniel joined us.. The heat felti quite ntense, making every step feel heavier, yet the energy of those around us—Karim, Liviu-Daniel, and Joël—kept us moving forward. Being surrounded by such inspiring people and staying focused on the Tibetan cause was edibly powerful.

16:30 – Burgdorf – A Special “Homecoming”

Burgdorf holds a special place in my heart—it's where I grew up. To my delight, an official Burgdorf delegation welcomed us, along with old friends and the Auberson family, whose presence meant so much.

Here, Reto and Yannick committed to running with me to Bern, while Karim concluded his incredible 100 km journey. Thank you, Karim, for your amazing support!

Burgdorf - Bern

After a long break and some much-needed sleep, Reto, Yannick, and I continued our run toward Bern.

We followed trails, running steadily in the beginning. As we reached Hindelbank, David joined us—a great boost. Now, we were four runners heading toward Bern.

Fatigue was setting in. We alternated between running and walking, my knees were aching, but nothing dramatic.

21.00 - Bern - Capital City

At 9 PM, we arrived in Bern, one step closer to the finish. Exhausted and coughing, I took a 30-minute break in the car to eat and rest.

A crowd had been waiting for hours, but due to delays, most had left, which saddened me. After 40 minutes, David and I moved on.

Flamatt- Fribourg – The Loneliest Stretch

At Flamatt, David stopped running and took the train back. Thank you, David, for running 30 km with me. Your company made a difference.

Now, I was alone.

I took a 30-minute break in the car—I was cold, exhausted, and drained. After warming up briefly, I forced myself to move on.

Outside, the temperature had dropped to 3°C, and the wind was relentless. The cold seeped into my bones. After only a short time running, I realized I needed another break. I got back into the car.

Hope in sight - warm Welcome by Tibetan Supporters in the middle of nowhere

The delegation that was supposed to meet in Fribourg reached out—they still wanted to see me. Instead of waiting for me in Fribourg, they came all the way to a place close to Flamatt.

When they arrived, they were incredibly kind. They brought  tea and a warm meal with pasta and meat. Their kindness and support helped me feel a little stronger.

After another long break, we said our goodbyes. I stepped back out into the cold night, alone again, heading toward Fribourg.

It was very cold and windy. Fatigue was hitting me hard. I tried to alternate between running and walking, but the wind was cutting through my body. Instinctively, I crossed my arms while moving, trying to retain some warmth.

It was nearly 5 AM, and I reassured myself: “Soon, daylight will come. It will get easier.”

Step after step, I crossed the big bridge toward Fribourg city center, then faced a small uphill. My body was shaking a bit from the cold, and my pace slowed to a walk.

At this point, I made a decision: When I reached Fribourg, I would get into the car and sleep until daylight. The cold was unbearable, and if I continued like this, I risked serious consequences. I told myself: “I can also walk some sections toward Lausanne later—I have time. The priority is to bring this home.”

Fribourg – Monday 10 March at 05:30

I arrived in Fribourg freezing. The wind was brutal, and temperatures had dropped further.

I took another break in the car, trying to warm up.  I was exhausted, but somehow, I remained optimistic.

By 7:00 AM, it started raining. I checked the weather forecast on the phone —it was not going to improve. With my immune system already compromised, continuing in the rain could lead to pneumonia. The risk was really high.

I consulted Kalsang and Thubi. Both advised me to stop. It was a devastating decision, but also a wise one. After 255km (official route) and 269km (Garmin), my journey ended in Fribourg.

Reflections and Gratitude

I am grateful for what We Run for Tibet 2025 became -not just a run, but a powerful statement for Tibet. This event was about solidarity, resilience, and a shared commitment that brought together runners, supporters, Tibetans, friends, and politicians in an unforgettable show of unity.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have started an ultra race in my condition. But for We Run for Tibet, stopping was never an option. The mission was clear: keep moving—no matter what—for Tibet. My body struggled, but my mind and heart stayed strong, allowing me to complete most of the route. I have not have reached the finish in Geneva, but this was still a victory.

To everyone who ran, supported, and stood with us—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Together, we keep running—for Tibet.

Special Thanks To:

Unwavering Support, Guidance & Crewing

• Kalsang Hartmann & Thubten Purang – For their guidance and steadfast support throughout the entire event.

• Yeti & Family – For the fantastic crewing from Zurich to Bern, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

  
  

Runners & Pacers

• All the runners – For their incredible pacing, motivation, and uplifting conversations along the way.

  
  

Key Organizing & Mobilization Support

• GSTF (Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association): Uwe Meya, Michaela Litzenburger, Veronika Koller, René Longet, Tenzin Frapolli, Rinzin Lang, Lhawang & Sybille, Kunga, and many more—your efforts in managing logistics, mobilizing people across different locations, and handling communication were invaluable.

• Tibetan communities TGSL & TYAE – For their presence, coordination, and unwavering support.

  
  

Political Outreach & Engagement

• Thomas Buechli – For coordinating and mobilizing the involvement of so many politicians.

• All the involved politicians – For their fantastic support, public endorsement, and participation.

  
  

Incredible Hospitality & Event Hosts

• Kinderdorf Pestalozzi Trogen, Tibet Institut Rikon (Peter Oberholzer and monks), and Tibet Museum – For their warm welcome, hospitality, and support along the way.

  
  

Media & Documentation

• Film Crew: Micha, Yan, Stöffu – For capturing the event so beautifully and putting in an incredible effort.

  
  

Friends & Personal Supporters

• Tashi Brauen, Rio Vamory, and many other friends – For participating and supporting in so many ways.

  
  

To Everyone Else Who Contributed

• And many others – Your presence, encouragement, and support made this event truly special. If I have forgotten anyone, please know that your efforts were deeply appreciated, and I am beyond grateful.