Olympic Gold Medallist Nicola Spirig Turns to the Marathon

Switzerland’s  Nicola Spirig, the Olympic triathlon champion from London 2012 has set her sights on the marathon at the European Athletics Championships in her hometown of Zurich.

“My first marathon in Zurich will be a short trip from my town, my family and friends can all be there too.”

Now 32, Spirig just took 2nd place at the  Swiss Cross Country Championships indicating her current run focus. “I want to try to make the European Championships qualifying time of 2:44:00 at the Zurich marathon on 6 April.

“This will serve as a good indicator for me to know if I should focus on the marathon or the 10,000m,” she said.

Spirig is excited for her marathon debut, especially since it’s so close from her home in Bachenbülach, on a course that is considered one of the quickest in Europe.

The Zurich marathon organizers are thrilled  Spirig will be included. The Organizing Committee President Bruno Lafranchi said: “I am proud that Nicola will make her debut at the Zurich Marathon, and we will offer her the best possible conditions to achieve her chronometric objective.”

The women’s marathon takes place on August 16th.