With over 2,300 marathons in the past 44 years, Sigrid Eichner has covered more than 120,000 kilometres at various running events. Despite her now proud age, no distance is too far for her.
In search of a balance to her work and family life in the GDR, Sigrid Eichner started running in 1979 - a short jog eventually turned into a competition for life. Driven by her great enjoyment of running and her remarkable fighting spirit, the now over 80-year-old has already run over 2,300 marathons and there is no end in sight, because as she herself says: "running is life".
While the choice of races within the GDR was very limited at the beginning, she has participated in many races not only throughout Germany but also internationally since the opening of the border. Whether a marathon in the American Death Valley, a Spartathlon from Athens to Sparta with over 245 kilometres or a European run from Lisbon to Moscow - no distance is too far for Sigrid Eichner. "Running has allowed me to discover the world and meet many like-minded people."
With her great passion for running, Sigrid Eichner has not only collected many great moments, but also a large, colourful mixture of over 900 medals and 268 trophies. In the "100 Marathons Club", Sigrid Eicher is at the top of the women's world ranking list with the most marathons run and she has also found a place in the "Guinness Book of Records".
For Sigrid Eichner, running is more than just sport - it is a part of her life and a balance to everyday life: "Running clears your head. With this exercise you also have time for yourself, you can think, problems solve themselves because you have time to deal with everything. And you're not disturbed by phones or anything else."
Nevertheless, the odd injury is inevitable, even in extreme endurance sports - especially at her proud age. Even if Sigrid Eichner doesn't take this lightly, she remains optimistic: "What comes from running, goes away from running. Most of the time, yes. It would be bad if nothing hurts, then you're not doing it properly. Or if you don't realise afterwards that you're exhausted, then you could have given more."
The partnership between Sigrid Eichner and Wöhner came about through the radio. Our CEO Philipp Steinberger, who is an endurance runner himself as a hobby, heard about Sigrid through Radio Eins and decided to support her passionate energy and inspiring mindset.
Despite Sigrid Eichner's thriftiness through carpooling, accommodation in youth hostels or almost worn-out running shoes, participation in running competitions involves high costs - with entry fees, equipment, travel and accommodation costs, this can quickly add up to several hundred euros - a little support can't hurt here. We support Sigrid Eichner in her marathons and ultra runs so that she can continue to compete in her running events with her incredible energy and inspire her fellow human beings.
