Running News Daily

Swiss long-distance runner Julien Wanders has declared his return to marathon competition after a three-year hiatus. In a recent Instagram post, Wanders expressed his enthusiasm:

“I’m happy to announce that I will run the haspamarathonhamburg on 27th of April. After 3 years, it’s time for me to go back to marathon.”  

Born on March 18, 1996, in Geneva, Switzerland, Wanders has made significant strides in long-distance running. He set the European record for the half marathon with a time of 59:13 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 2019 I and holds the European 10 km road race record with a time of 27:13, achieved in Valencia in 2020.

Challenges Leading to Hiatus

Wanders’ absence from marathon events over the past three years stems from a series of health challenges and injuries:

• 2021: In early 2021, Wanders suffered a hamstring injury, which, coupled with a bout of pneumonia, hindered his performance. Despite participating in the Tokyo Olympics, he finished 21st in the 10,000 meters. Post-Olympics, an MRI revealed significant hamstring irritation, necessitating a break from running.  

• 2022: Wanders debuted in the Paris Marathon but faced digestive issues, leading to multiple stops and a finish time of 2:11:52. In May, he was diagnosed with a sacral stress fracture, sidelining him for the track season. His return at the Copenhagen Half Marathon in September was marred by illness, resulting in a time of 1:03:47. Later that year, he attempted the Valencia Marathon but withdrew after 31 kilometers due to illness.

Training in Kenya

A pivotal aspect of Wanders’ training regimen involves extensive periods in Iten, Kenya, a renowned high-altitude training hub. Drawn by the area’s reputation and inspired by his research on Kenyan running culture, he first visited Iten in 2014. Despite initial challenges, including adapting to the altitude and local conditions, Wanders found the environment conducive to his growth. He now spends about half the year training in Kenya, benefiting from the high-altitude conditions and the opportunity to train alongside elite athletes.  

Wanders’ commitment to rigorous training is evident in his regimen, which includes 13 sessions per week, covering 170-190 km, along with core stability and weight training sessions.

As Wanders prepares for his marathon return in Hamburg, the running community eagerly anticipates his performance and potential resurgence on the international stage. His journey underscores the resilience and determination required to overcome setbacks and pursue excellence in long-distance running.