“My engine is still running well”: Cologna wants to know during the Berlin Marathon

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If this isn’t a successful final rehearsal. Dario Cologna (37) showed at the beginning of this month at the Switzerland Marathon Light over 21.1 kilometers that he can not only be fast on cross-country skis, but also on foot. The four-time Olympic champion, who announced his retirement in the spring of 2022, promptly finished second in Sarnen. A top result ahead of the Berlin Marathon, which is scheduled for Sunday and which he has boldly put on his agenda this year.

Last fall he had to cancel his marathon premiere in London at short notice because his adductor muscles were causing problems. This time he is fit and in good form, as evidenced by the impressive time of 1:10:39 from Sarnen. “That almost went better than expected,” Cologna said afterwards with a smile.

The Graubünden native can feel confirmed in his path. Throughout the year he walks an average of 50 kilometers per week, most recently 80 kilometers. That’s a lot, but top runners can easily cover twice as much. Cologna starts in Berlin with the ambitious goal of completing the distance in under 2:30 hours: “In terms of speed, that should be possible, but I also know that a lot can happen in a marathon.”

Cologna wants to emphasize that he sees participation mainly as a personal challenge: “I am not a professional, but I do enjoy it and it is an opportunity to make the transition from top sport to life after my career.” But his years of cross-country skiing training would still help him: “My engine still runs well.”

He is freed from the pressure

In contrast to running on long bars or bicycle units, the strain on the legs when jogging is considerably higher: “I used to run the 50 kilometer race and could have taken part in another race the next day. Now I can still feel a running event like this even a few days later.” However, that shouldn’t matter to him once he reaches his time goal in Berlin. And if not? “Then it’s not the end of the world.” He is now freed from the pressure of top sport.

By the way: when his former cross-country skiing competitors are challenged again at the World Cup next winter, Cologna will be seen and heard on TV again as an SRF expert and commentator. Just like last season, again in variation with Adriano Iseppi (50).

Source : Blick