Long-distance runner Martina Strähl is ending her career. The 37-year-old from Solothurn is retiring as a multiple medal winner at the World and European Championships in mountain running.
08.10.2024, 11:46
08.10.2024, 17:32
SDA
The decision to end her career as a competitive athlete was made in the spring in consultation with her coach Fritz Häni and her closest environment. "My body no longer allows for the very hard training sessions and large volumes that would be necessary to keep up internationally," Strähl is quoted as saying in a press release. The fire is still there and she will remain faithful to running, but with adjusted goals.
In her career, Strähl has celebrated numerous successes as a mountain runner. She has won no fewer than ten medals at world and European championships (individual and team), was European champion in 2009 and 2011 and world champion in long-distance mountain running in Zermatt in 2015. She took part in the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona (9th place in the 10,000 m), 2014 in Zurich (marathon), 2016 in Amsterdam (half marathon) and 2018 in Berlin (7th place in the marathon).
Strähl experienced another highlight in 2021 when she qualified for the Olympic marathon in Sapporo, fulfilling a career dream. She has a personal best time of 2:28:07 over the 42.195 kilometers. She is also the former Swiss record holder in the half marathon.
