Running trends in Switzerland from 1999 to 2019: An exploratory observational study

Several single race events (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon, ultra-marathon) in different countries and different years have been analyzed in multiple studies, representing the rising interest in endurance-based activity and thus physical health. With focus on participation numbers, performance or sex difference, many single study results were obtained. The running trends in a whole country covering a longer period of time and several race distances are missing so far. The aim of this study is therefore to examine 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon and ultra-marathon races by age, sex, participation numbers and performance during two decades (1999–2019) for one country (Switzerland). In this exploratory observational study, we analyzed 1,172,836 finishers (370,517 women and 802,319 men) competing between 1999 and 2019 in 5 different race distances in Switzerland. We used publicly available data about the athletes and examined total finishing numbers, sex, age and performances (measured in m/s) via descriptive analyses and linear mixed models. Do-not-finishers were excluded. The most frequented race was the half-marathon (33.1% of finishers), the less frequented was the ultra-marathon distance (8.5% of finishers). In most recent years, only the number of finishers in ultra-marathon, especially in trail runs increased. In total, there were more male finishers (68.4%) than female finishers (31.6%) and only in 5 km races, more women finished than men (55.3%). Men were faster than women and both sexes were running slower in all race distances across years. Athletes in 10 km races had the best performance within the five analyzed race distances. Median age increased with longer race distance and decreased in ultra-marathon in recent years. In summary, finishing numbers especially in ultra-marathons increased with a focus on trail runs, female and male athletes had a declining performance across years in all race distances and men ran faster than women. Median age increased with longer race distance leading to more aged endurance-trained athletes. A downtrend in median age is found only in ultra-marathon in recent years. The results are important for athletes, race directors and coaches with regard to training schedules and the trend towards long distance races as well as for the medical attendance especially of older athletes, being more and more interested in endurance running.

The fastest nonprofessional age group IRONMAN triathletes in the world originate from Europe

It is well known that elite athletes of specific ethnicities and/or nationalities dominate certain sports disciplines (e.g., East Africans in marathon running). However, we do not know the nationalities of the fastest non-professional IRONMAN triathletes. Therefore, this study intended to identify the fastest athletes by country of origin competing in IRONMAN triathlon events, focusing on non-professional age group triathletes. Data from all IRONMAN age group athletes competing worldwide between 2002 and 2022 in all official IRONMAN races were collected. Sex, age group, country of origin of the athletes, location and year of the event, split times, overall race times, and transition times were obtained. Additionally, the dataset was augmented with specific data (i.e. event characteristics such as temperatures for water and air and course characteristics for all three split disciplines) related to the different race locations. We limited the analysis to the top 150 countries by participation (i.e. countries with at least 13 successful finishers records in the sample). A total of 677,320 records of IRONMAN age group triathletes originating from 150 different countries and participating in 443 races over 65 different locations were analyzed. European countries such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Czechia, Estonia, and Slovenia have the fastest IRONMAN age group athletes. IRONMAN Hawaii, IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz and IRONMAN Hamburg are the fastest races. Hilly running and cycling race courses led to slower race times, while flat surfaces, rolling cycling and ocean swimming led to faster race times. Optimal water temperatures were found at 23–25 °C and optimal air temperature ranged between 19–21 and 25–28 °C. The fastest IRONMAN age group triathletes from European countries such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Czechia, Estonia, and Slovenia. With the presented results for optimal air and water temperatures and description of the optimal cycling and running course characteristics, IRONMAN age group athletes might be able to select an IRONMAN race with the best conditions in order to achieve a fast IRONMAN race time.

Comeback 2025

I’ll be back

60 Marathons

For the 60 marathons in 1 year, there was a special medal and a special gift.

In May 2025, the 2nd Eastern Switzerland Marathon Days will take place again in the Arbon area, this time 11 marathons in 11 days are planned.

7. Arbon Marathon

The Arbon area hosted a double-decker event (one marathon each on Saturday and Sunday) on the weekend of November 9 and 10.

On Saturday, with the 7th Arbon Marathon, the counter was increased to 59 marathons, totaling 488.

6. Mostindien Marathon

The 6th Most India Marathon then took place on Sunday, the 60 marathons were thus completed, 11 marathons are still missing for 500 marathons.

Lago Maggiore Marathon

The 13th Lago Maggiore Marathon took place on November 3rd.

With 58 marathons so far since the start of the year, he is still 2 marathons short of his annual target of 60 marathons.

Lausanne Marathon

The Lausanne Marathon took place on October 27.

The race from Lausanne to Vevey and back was run in glorious fall weather.

Marathon number 57 this year, and the counter now stands at 486 marathons.

Sparkasse 3-Country-Marathon

On October 13, 2024, the Sparkasse 3-Country-Marathon took place, starting in Lindau (Germany) and finishing in Bregenz (Austria) with a loop through Switzerland.

We are now at 56 marathons in 2024 and a total of 485 on the counter.