Plauen resident Christin Ziehr breaks world record in extreme hiking!

Plauen resident Christin Ziehr breaks world record in extreme hiking!

On Friday, Christin Ziehr from Plauen reached a remarkable milestone in the history of extreme hiking. She set a new world record by walking non-stop from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to Plauen in just three days. She covered an incredible distance of 342 kilometers, surpassing the previous record of 302 kilometers, which she broke on Friday night. How MDR reports that Ziehr needed a total of 80 hours for her hike and went without sleep or long breaks.

But the record attempt was anything but easy. Shortly before the finish, after 300 kilometers, she lost her orientation and had to cover an additional 61 kilometers, which led to a delay and physical strain. “The surface was particularly challenging,” she explained, with the sandy ground causing significant pain after 120 kilometers. Despite the blisters on both feet, she finally reached her destination on Friday shortly before 3 p.m. and was enthusiastically welcomed by Plauen's mayor, Steffen Zenner. Their achievement is officially registered with the Record Institute in Germany, which makes their success all the more impressive.

Preparation and motivation

Christin Ziehr trained intensively in preparation for this ambitious adventure. In the months leading up to the record, she increased her fitness through various activities, including cycling. Her longest previous tour was a 270 kilometer hike around Lake Constance, which she completed in 55 hours and 15 minutes. Unlike her last hike, which she canceled due to a gastrointestinal virus, she was now well prepared. In the days leading up to the record, she reduced her training load to three hours of exercise a day and ensured she got enough energy from drinks like cola to stay awake and focused on the journey. Picture adds that Ziehr takes at least 35,000 steps on normal days and trains regularly on a treadmill.

The decision to start extreme hiking came after a life crisis in September 2021 when she became single again after a 17-year relationship. This new chapter in her life gave her the impetus to explore her limits and discover her passion for hiking.

The world of records

With her world record, Christin Ziehr joins a long list of impressive sporting achievements. In an article by Fortune lists some of the most notable world records set over the years, from pole vaulters like Yelena Isinbayeva to marathon runners like Paula Radcliffe, who broke records that stood for many years. Ziehr's achievement highlights the diversity and challenges that exist in the field of sport. It remains to be seen what further challenges she will face after this impressive success.