Maud Mathis (born 1987, Olon, Switzerland) is a Swiss professional runner and ski mountaineer considered one of the best mountain endurance athletes in the world. After 10 years of experience in athletics, she discovered running and mountaineering in 2006, joined the Swiss national mountaineering team in 2012, and turned fully professional in 2018, leaving her career as a nurse to devote herself to running.
She has broken records in some of the sport’s most famous races, including the Sierre Zeinal in Switzerland and the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado, where she smashed the previous record by more than 12 minutes. At her peak she held first place in the ITRA (International Road Running Association) women’s world rankings. She competes as a Salomon athlete and balances elite racing with being a mother – a combination she speaks about openly and proudly.
Q1. How did you first discover road running, and what made you fall in love with the sport?
I discovered the trail while meeting with my husband. 20 years ago! I used to do track and field but wanted to explore endurance sports. So I started running with him. At first it was difficult because I wasn’t used to running for so long but I wanted to show him that I was strong 😅 and I hated that he had to wait for me. I loved this sport because you don’t need any materials, and you can go everywhere while falling in love with the “silence of the mountains.”
Q2. Looking back at your journey so far, what experience, challenge or lesson has shaped you as a runner and as a person?
Lesson learned: The race never ends to the finish line! I had a positive story about finishing second when I wanted to give up. And a negative story: I was in third place and someone passed me right before the finish line.
Q3. What continues to motivate and inspire you to keep attending, training and exploring paths?
I continue because I love training and I love my sports life. I love traveling and discovering countries!
