Trailblazers, Marathon Champion and Podium Finishers
It was a successful weekend for On athletes, who celebrated wins in Kobe, Vienna, and Zurich and podium finishes in Poland and the Philippines.
Zurich, Switzerland, April 22, 2024 - On Athletes once again took to the start lines of many races across the world, showing off their athletic abilities and securing multiple titles and podium finishes.
Kicking off the 2024 Golden Trail World Series with a win
Patrick Kipnegno (KEN) started the 2024 Golden Trail World Series in the way he likes best, with a victory. Completing the 21.3km course with 2109 meters of elevation in 2:22.17. Kipnego put aside all pre-race doubts that deemed the course too technical for him and claimed his first-ever title in the series. The race featured four loops across a technical terrain with a group of six runners pushing out in front for the majority of the race. Kipnegno sat back in the lead pack until the final loop, during which he managed to kick clear and claim the victory.
"It wasn’t until kilometer 16 that I realized that victory was possible because the downhills were very tough, and they were running very fast in the front. But I stuck to my strategy, and it worked!"
Vienna City Marathon Champion
One of the favorites at the start line of the Vienna City Marathon on Sunday, Chala Regasa (ETH) wanted to make it a fast race and aimed to break his personal best of 2:06.11, set during his marathon debut in Rotterdam last year. While he didn’t entirely break his PB, Regasa remained true to his favorite label, taking home the win in a time of 2:06.35, four minutes ahead of second-place finisher Bernard Muia (KEN). Regasa’s finishing time is the third fastest at the Vienna City Marathon. After the race, he set his sight on his next goal:
“My next goal is to run a time of 2:04.00. I dream of winning the big races in the future and to become Olympic champion.”
Bronze at Polish Championships Short Trail
The Pieniny Ultra-Trail race, in the Pieniny Mountains in the south of Poland, played host to this year's Polish Long Distance Mountain Running Championships (Short Trail). Representing On, Katarzyna Solinska took to the start line as one of the favorites. Throughout the race, she showed why, putting on a solid performance in the first half of the race, especially in the uphill sections. The second part of the race proved challenging for Solinska’s body. Despite the challenges, she managed to hang on and secured a third-place finish in a time of 3:58.44.
Bronze for Bishop at Ironman 70.3 Lapu Lapu
Following a fierce swim battle between On athlete Tom Bishop (UK), Henri Schoeman (RSA), and Sam Osborne (NZL), the podium was already evident. Following the transition from swimming to biking, Schoeman established a 3-minute lead, eventually leading to him taking home the title, ahead of Osborne and Bishop, who rounded off the podium in a finishing time of 4:11.01.
Snowy conditions for the Zurich Marathon and 10k races
The marathon in the hometown of the On’s headquarters took place in cold, wet, and snowy conditions. On athlete, Tesfay Simon (SUI) crossed the finish line fourth overall in a time of 2:17.44, which secured him bronze at the Swiss Marathon Championships held during the Zurich Marathon. During the Zurich 10k held later that same day, On athlete Adbi-Salam Ali (SOM) secured the win in a time of 29:33.
RESULTS
Golden Trail World Series Kobe
Patrick Kipnegno, 1st, 2:22.17
Vienna City Marathon
Chala Regasa, 1st, 2:06.35
Pieniny Ultra-Trail Race
Katarzyna Solinska, 3rd, 3:58.44
Ironman 70.3 Lapu Lapu
Tom Bishop, 3rd, 4:11.01
Zurich Marathon
Tesfay Simon, 4th, 2:17.44
Zurich 10K
Adbi-Salam Ali, 1st, 29:33
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.