The Medal That Ticks Differently

Run to your own beat.
Time is with us every day. It sets the pace, structures our daily lives and also plays a central role in running. Yet time means something different to each and every one of us. While some focus on every second and chase a new personal best, others enjoy the special atmosphere of the Basler Stadtlauf, the sense of togetherness or crossing the finish line with family and friends. The motto of the 2026 Basler Stadtlauf captures precisely this idea: “Run to your own beat.” Because in the end, it is not the time on the clock that counts – it is your time.
In keeping with this theme, the 2026 finisher medal features the striking sundial on Wettsteinplatz. In the background, runners can be seen on Wettsteinbrücke – a section whose long, gradual incline and occasional headwind from the Rhine demand a little extra stamina every year. Shortly afterwards, participants are rewarded with one of the most memorable moments of the race: returning to the festively illuminated Freie Strasse, where the unique atmosphere of the Basler Stadtlauf can be felt particularly strongly.

The 2026 finisher medal combines the sundial on Wettsteinplatz with runners on Wettsteinbrücke – in keeping with the motto “Run to your own beat.”

Basel Time
The sundial on Wettsteinplatz recalls a historical peculiarity that shaped Basel for around 400 years: Basel Time.
Unlike in most other cities, Basel counted not the hour that had passed, but the hour that had just begun. When the sun reached its highest point, Basel’s clocks did not show twelve o’clock, but one o’clock already. In a sense, Basel was always an hour ahead of its time.
This unusual way of telling time is thought to have originated in the medieval prayer times observed by monasteries. Rather than referring to the hour that had passed, people used the hour that was beginning. Basel Time shaped life in the city for four centuries and was not abolished until 1798, with the establishment of the Helvetic Republic.
Those wishing to encounter this history today can find it on the Martinsturm of Basel Minster. The historic sundial there still displays the old Basel Time, serving as a reminder that Basel once followed a rhythm all its own.
The 2026 finisher medal draws on this symbolism. The sundial represents not only time, but also Basel’s independent spirit – and reminds us that everyone has their own rhythm.

The sundial has stood at its present location on Wettsteinplatz since 2007.
Photo: “Basel, Wettsteinplatz, Sundial”, Stephan,r / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. [Image cropped/edited.]

The Sundial on Wettsteinplatz
The sundial depicted on the medal was donated to the Swiss Industries Fair in 1956 by Türler Watches and Jewellery of Zurich. It stood on Messeplatz for many years before being moved to its present location as part of the redesign of Wettsteinplatz in 2007. Since then, on loan from MCH Messe Basel, it has been a striking landmark and a reminder of Basel’s long history of timekeeping.
In the summer of 2026, the sundial was restored and given a new protective coating. Once the work was completed, it returned to its customary place in time for the Basler Stadtlauf and has once again become a defining feature of Wettsteinplatz..

At Your Own Pace
The historic sundial and the runners on Wettsteinbrücke connect Basel’s history with the running experience of today. The Basler Stadtlauf is about more than seconds and rankings. It is about personal goals, shared experiences and finding your own rhythm.
Whether elite athletes, recreational runners, children and young people, or families – everyone experiences the Basler Stadtlauf in their own personal way. This diversity has defined the event for decades and gives it its unmistakable character.
The 2026 finisher medal therefore represents more than successfully reaching the finish line. It reminds us that every time has meaning and every run tells its own story. Often, the greatest success is finding your own rhythm.

The 2026 finisher medal is manufactured by René F. Müller AG in Basel. This means that the award taken home by thousands of runners every year is made in the very place where its story began.