15th Zurich Marathon/Switzerland, 8th Teamrun and 6th Cityrun on Sunday, 09 April 2017
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06
04
2017

15th Zurich Marathon/Switzerland ©Zürich Marathon

15th Zurich Marathon/Switzerland, 8th Teamrun and 6th Cityrun on Sunday, 09 April 2017

By GRR 0

Zurich invites all runners to come together and join the 15th Zurich Marathon, 8th Teamrun and 6th Cityrun on Sunday, 09 April 2017.

Novices, experienced runners and athletes from 87 countries have signed up already. For the first time, participants will be given mental support along the route. Spectators can look forward to an exciting competition.

 
Zurich makes you run: 9'292 runners are registerd  for next sunday, 09 April 2017.  

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Patrick Mugur Ereng (KEN) is an experienced runner who will be making his marathon debut in Zurich. The 2016 winner of the Jungfrau Meile has also triumphed in the Zürcher Silvesterlauf in 2012, Greifenseelauf in 2015 and the Corrida Bulloise in 2013 and 2016. Last year, he completed the Lugano half-marathon with a promising result of 1:02:11 hours.

Edwin Kiprop Korir (KEN) has participated in the Zurich Marathon every year since 2012, taking second place in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, he had to withdraw during the race due to an injury. He will be competing for a podium position once again this year.

Among the women, Michèle Gantner from Switzerland is particularly worth watching: she aims to undercut the world championship limit of 2:35 hours.

New: Mental support at the Zurich Marathon
Marathon runners need the right food along the route – in this race, they will be getting more than that. In addition to bananas, energy gel, bars and water, competitors at this year's Zurich Marathon will be given mental aid for their run. For the first time, the Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) will be supporting runners before and during the marathon with various techniques from sports psychology.

Interested participants are invited to look at the "Training to go" section on the IAP website to prepare for the run mentally. "To achieve the necessary mental strength during decisive stages of a competition, runners need to practice the relevant methods and techniques intensively in advance – this allows them to retrieve and apply them as needed," Dr Jan Rauch, Lecturer and Consultant for Sports Psychology at the IAP, explains. On the day of the race, seven posters will be displayed along the route to remind competitors of their preparatory mental training. Three symbols have been developed to help the runners control their concentration, emotions and motivation.

Athletes from 87 countries will be represented
This year, as every year, athletes from all Swiss cantons will be participating in the marathon. A total of 87 nationalities will be represented at the Zurich Marathon. The oldest female participant is 73 years old.

With 2'722 registered marathon runners, 4'477 registered teamrun runners and 2'093 cityrun runners last year's record number of participants has not been exceeded – instead fewer registrations were submitted this year. According to the OC President, Bruno Lafranchi, this trend has various reasons, among them the Walliseller Triathlon: held on the same weekend, the event is competing with the Zurich Marathon to some extent. Secondly, the poor weather of the last race may still be lodged in the memories of many runners. "And we were somewhat spoilt for registrations during the past years, anyway – especially in terms of the Teamrun, which was consistently sold out", he explains.

Novices and seasoned runners
Day X is around the corner for the five novices who will be running their first marathon in Zurich. While Chris (Basel) and Betty (Güttingen/TG) are optimistic about the run, Sandro (Baden/AG) has been struggling with tibia problems and wondering if he will be able to take part on Sunday. Tobi (Zurich) is concerned about his ability to participate, too: "After my last long run of 32 kilometres, my knees and feet were in agony and I had to take a four-week break."

Following a training session last week, the professional construction overseer was forced to admit that four weeks were not quite enough for the pain to disappear. "I would like to run on the ninth of April, but my body seems to disagree at the moment." Peter (Tenniken/BL), too, had to take two breaks due to injury and illness, but the 49-year-old is back on track and optimistic about next Sunday. "I had to revise my original time of 3:59 hours upward a little, but I am certain that I will master this challenge." Alongside these five novices will be 67 seasoned athletes, who have been running the Zurich Marathon route since day one. Among them, Marc Pierre Jaccard from Zurich: born in 1947, Jaccard is the oldest participant. He will be tackling the route to Meilen and back for the 15th time.

Entertainment and catering en route
Spectators along the marathon route can refuel at various stalls offering breakfast, afternoon snacks and everything in between, while several local bands will be providing additional entertainment.

The best place for observing the marathon is Bürkliplatz, where the runners pass by six times in total. Commentary on the race will be played on many speakers to make sure everyone is up to date. In the finishing area near Mythenquai, a large festival tent is open to anyone who wants to relax and have a toast with the happy finishers.

More information: www.zuerichmarathon.ch 
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author: GRR