Zigerschlitz Marathon in Glarus

The Zigerschlitz Marathon on August 3 in Glarus marked the end of the summer marathons.

A lot of trail, a lot of gravel, a lot of vertical meters and impressive mountains that we were able to see up close.

Sex-specific differences in performance and pacing in the world’s longest triathlon in history

Sex differences in performance and pacing in triathlon have been studied for IRONMAN triathlons (3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42.195 km of running) and ultra-triathlons (i.e. Double-, Triple-, Quintuple- and Deca Iron ultra-triathlons) corresponding to 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x the IRONMAN triathlon distance. However, no study has to date investigated the sex difference in performance and pacing in the longest triathlon held in history, the Triple Deca Iron ultra-triathlon covering 114 km of swimming, 5,400 km of cycling and 1,266 km of running. A total of 14 triathletes (10 men and four women) competed in the 2024 Triple Deca Ultra Triathlon in Desenzano del Garda, with four men and three women officially finishing the race within the time limit. The data were analyzed to investigate performance differences across disciplines (i.e. swimming, cycling, and running), pacing strategies and sex differences. Variability was assessed using each discipline’s coefficient of variation (CV). The relation-ships between CV and overall rankings were examined using linear regression analysis. Men were faster in swimming (12.4%), cycling (24.8%) and running (8.5%). Cycling showed the greatest pacing variability, while running exhibited steadier pacing, with more consistent athletes performing better overall, reflecting the unique endurance challenges of this segment. Overall, men were faster than women in all split disciplines, with the highest sex difference in cycling and the smallest in running. The analysis revealed significant differences in both cycling and running times among athletes. The variability in cycling times indicates diverse pacing strategies and endurance levels, while the running times further highlight the individual performance dynamics of the athletes. The results illustrate how variability in pacing affects cumulative performance and final rankings.

Resilience against exercise-related coronary atherosclerosis: A case study in a master athlete participating in 500 marathons

Lifelong endurance exercise is generally associated with cardiovascular health benefits. However, recent studies suggest that prolonged high-volume training may contribute to coronary atherosclerosis, even in athletes with low traditional cardiovascular risk. This case report aims to explore the cardiovascular status of a master endurance athlete with an exceptionally high lifetime training volume, in light of recent concerns raised in the literature. We present the case of a 60-year-old recreational male marathon runner with no history of cardiovascular disease, who completed over 500 marathons between the ages of 30 and 60 years, covering ⁓127 000-km running. In 2024 alone, he completed 60 marathons. Cardiovascular evaluation included clinical risk assessment and coronary computed tomography angiography (CTCA). The runner was asymptomatic, had a low ESC-SCORE2 (3.3%), a favorable lipid profile, and normal levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and lipoprotein (a). CTCA revealed no evidence of calcified, mixed, or non-calcified coronary plaques. This case highlights that some master athletes may demonstrate resilience to coronary atherosclerosis despite decades of high training volume. In low-risk individuals, prolonged endurance training alone may not necessarily lead to coronary artery disease, emphasizing the need for individualized cardiovascular screening strategies.

Screening for suicidal thoughts, attempts, and associated factors in endurance and ultra-endurance runners

Suicide is one of the leading causes of premature death. Prevalence of suicidal thoughts in the general adult population is approximately 4%, with lifetime prevalence of 5.6%, and suicidal attempts of 2.7%. No data are available on endurance runners (ER) and ultra-endurance runners (UER). Prospective cohort study of ER (distance of ≥21.1 km-42.2 km) and UER (≥42.2 km), collecting self-reported data on biometrics, social, psychological, medical, and training history. Suicidal risk was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and open questions. Statistical analysis included descriptive, predictive techniques, and regression analysis. A total of N.=601 runners participated in the study (female N.=222; male N.=379; mean age [standard deviation (SD)] 42.8 (10.1) years). Suicidal thoughts were present in 8.0%, with a lifetime prevalence of 14.1% (P<0.001). Previous suicidal attempts occurred in 2%. Associated factors for suicidal thoughts included previous diagnosis of depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P=0.015), age (P=0.013), and participating in fewer (<9) competitions per year (P=0.026). Associated factors of lifetime risk of suicidal thoughts included previous diagnoses of depression (P<0.001) and age (P=0.015). Runners aged less <30 years of age presented with a higher risk of suicide (P<0.001) than older runners. Associated factors for previous suicidal attempts included previous diagnosis of depression (P=0.01) and stress (P=0.028). We present novel data on prevalence of suicidal thoughts in ER/UER, which were 2-2.5-fold higher than in the general population. Creating awareness among athletes, families, coaches, medical teams, and race organizers and providing education, screening and access to appropriate support are important to reduce the burden of suicide in this sport.

Sonnenstube Schweiz Marathon Tessin

On Sunday, July 27 - the day after the Uristier Marathon - the Sonnenstube Schweiz Marathon took place in Ticino.

After fleeing the wet canton of Uri, we literally found the sun room in Ticino with temperatures of up to 31°.

Starting in Tenero, we first had to run a loop in the Magadino plain, then back to Tenero and then along Lake Maggiore via Minusio and Muralto to Locarno. In contrast to the canton of Uri, the marathon in Ticino had practically no elevation gain and the route was much faster with 100% asphalt.

Uristier Marathon Uri

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Uristier Marathon took place in the canton of Uri. In pouring rain, we had to run from Flüelen to Sisikon and back to Flüelen, then up the other side of the lake to Bauen, then back to the Reuss delta, up to Attinghausen and then back to Flüelen via Altdorf.

Passing historical sites and on the Swiss Path, we couldn’t really enjoy the scenery because of the endless meters of altitude and gravel paths, especially because of the cold and wet weather.

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Identifying anxiety and sleep problems, associated factors and sex differences in endurance and ultra-endurance runners

Anxiety and sleep problems may negatively impact health and athletic performance. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study in endurance (≥21.1-42.2 km) and ultra-endurance runners (≥42.2 km), screening for anxiety and sleep problems, assessing potential associated factors and sex differences. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, testing of group differences with the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, and Dunn’s post-hoc tests, allowing for Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, predictive techniques, and regression analysis. A total of 601 runners participated (female n = 222; male n = 379; mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years). Overall, 13.5% screened positive for anxiety (female 16.2% compared to men 11.9%; n.s.) and 28.8% for sleep problems (female 32.9% compared to men 26.4%; n.s.). Anxiety and sleep problems were observed significantly more often in half marathon runners (25.2%; (p < 0.001) and 38.3%, (p = 0.02), respectively) compared to marathon (9.8 and 28.4%) and ultramarathon distance runners (11.1 and 28.2%). No statistical differences were found between sexes and performance levels (elite versus non-elite). Associated factors for anxiety included sleep problems (p < 0.001), younger age (<29 years; p < 0.001), years practicing the sport (>10 years; p = 0.006), and distance category (p = 0.03). Associated factors for sleep problems included anxiety (p < 0.001), competition frequency (>4 per year; p = 0.006), and injury-related absences (p = 0.001). Mental health issues, such as anxiety and sleep problems are common in endurance and ultra-endurance runners and positive screening for anxiety co-existed and was associated with positive screening for sleep problems. This study demonstrates that identifying and screening for anxiety and sleep problems is important, as well as the need for creating awareness, education, preventative strategies, and support services.

Change in elevation predicts 100 km ultra marathon performance

The 100-km ultra-marathon is one of the most popular ultra-marathon distances. While we have a lot of scientific knowledge, no data exist about the influence of race course characteristics and other geographical aspects, on race performance. Therefore, the aims of this study were (i) to investigate where the fastest 100-km races are held and where the fastest runners originate from, (ii) to evaluate a potential influence of specific race characteristics (i.e., influence of elevation and race course characteristics) on performance, and (iii) to assess the influence of individual athlete performance against the other investigated factors. A total of 858,544 race records (732,748 from men and 125,796 from women) from 317,312 unique runners originating from 103 different countries and participating in 2,648 100-km races held in 80 different countries worldwide between 1892 and 2022 were analyzed using several descriptive, inferential and predictive methods, including a machine learning XG Boost Regression model. We evaluated the influence on the average running speed (in km/h) of factors such as gender of the athlete, age group, country of origin of the athlete, country where the race was held, course characteristics (i.e. mountain, trail, road, or track race) and elevation (i.e. flat or hilly course). The relative effect of the individual athlete performance was also investigated through a Mixed Effects Linear model. Discounting the fact that individual athlete performance is between 3 and 4 times ahead in race speed influence compared to the other factors, the model rated elevation (0.85) as the most important variable ahead of the country where the race was held (0.07), gender (0.02), age group (0.02), the country of origin of the runner (0.02) and the course characteristics (0.02). Running on a track (9.32 km/h) was the fastest ahead of road running (8.11 km/h), trail running (6.21 km/h) and mountain running (5.74 km/h). Flat running (8.85 km/h) was faster than running on a hilly course (6.57 km/h). The fastest athletes originated from African and Eastern European countries, with Swaziland (13.15 ± 0.88 km/h), Botswana (11.61 ± 2.22 km/h), Belarus (11.10 ± 2.29 km/h), Kazakhstan (10.74 ± 3.78 km/h), and Cape Verde (10.49 ± 2.26 km/h) in the top five. Africa, the Middle East, and Europe hold the fastest 100 km races, with Botswana (12.23 ± 1.35 km/h), Qatar (12.10 ± 1.63 km/h), Belarus (11.24 ± 1.27 km/h), Jordania (11.05 ± 1.58 km/h), and Montenegro (10.63 ± 1.90 km/h) in the top five. In summary, elevation was the most important variable in 100-km ultra-marathon running ahead of the country where the race was held, gender, age group, country of origin of the runner and course characteristics. Running on a track was the fastest ahead of road, trail and mountain running. Flat running was faster than running on a hilly course. Africa, the Middle East, and Europe hold the fastest 100 km races. Common for the fastest 100-km race courses was the fact that they were mainly indoor races and/or Championships. The fastest runners originated mainly from former republics of the dissolved Soviet Union. Future studies might select the fastest 100-km race courses.

Finding the fastest race locations for non-elite IRONMAN® age group triathletes

The IRONMAN® triathlon is particularly interesting for recreational (age group) triathletes, where tens of thousands compete annually to qualify for the IRONMAN® World Championship in Hawaii. The purpose of the present study was to identify the fastest event location for age group triathletes. A total of 687,662 finisher records of IRONMAN® age group triathletes from 446 events at 65 different locations between 2002 and 2022 were analyzed, aggregating records by location and calculating and displaying descriptive statistics. The statistical significance of the differences observed was tested using a twoway ANOVA (sex and event location as independent variables, overall race times or split times as dependent variables) and post-hoc Tukey’s HSD tests. The fastest swim times were achieved in IRONMAN® New York, ahead of IRONMAN® Switzerland Thun and IRONMAN® Chattanooga for both men and women. There were differences between women and men regarding the fastest cycling and running courses. The fastest cycling splits were in IRONMAN® Barcelona, followed by IRONMAN® Copenhagen and IRONMAN® Tallinn for men and IRONMAN® Barcelona, IRONMAN® Copenhagen and IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz for women. For the marathon, men achieved the fastest running split in IRONMAN® Hawaii, ahead of IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz and IRONMAN® Tallinn, whereas women were the fastest in running in IRONMAN® Gdynia, IRONMAN® Haugesund Norway and IRONMAN® Hawaii. For overall race times, men achieved their times in IRONMAN® Hawaii, followed by IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz and IRONMAN® Copenhagen. For women, the fastest overall race times were achieved in IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz ahead of IRONMAN® Hawaii and IRONMAN® Copenhagen. For overall race times, average water temperatures were at 20.7 ± 2.8 °C and average air temperatures at 23.0 ± 3.0 °C. Most swimming courses were in a lake (7/10), most cycling courses were rolling (6/10) and most running courses were flat (7/10). Despite differences regarding the event locations, the fastest race courses were identified in the USA and Spain.