71 D-MTEC runners at the Zurich Marathon
The D-MTEC community once again took on the Zurich Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Race with unwavering enthusiasm. On Sunday, 13 April, an impressive 71 members of the department lined up with 19,800 fellow runners, more than doubling last year’s turnout of 30 runners.
Though the morning brought a bit of rain for the marathoners, the sky cleared up just in time for the Half-Marathon and 10K runners. The improved weather allowed participants to focus on personal goals and team spirit, with first-timers and experienced runners celebrating their achievements on the streets of Zurich.
Every participant contributed to a memorable day, but a few performances stood out. MSc MTEC student Dina Mundackal completed her first-ever marathon in 5:17:59. In the men’s marathon category, Savindu Herath (doctoral candidate at the Chair of Strategic Management and Innovation) achieved a new personal best of 2:56:20. “Turning last year’s 4-second miss into a 4-minute lead this year wasn’t just about racing or pacing,” he said. “It was proof that with patience, consistency, perseverance, and the right people around you, even the most distant goals start to feel within reach. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible D-MTEC community for being part of this journey!”
The Half-Marathon saw a best D-MTEC in the men’s category by Benedikt Bothur (MSc MTEC) in 1:26:44, and a strong women’s finish by Svenja Bergmann (doctoral student in Data & Advanced Analytics at ETH and AMAG) in 1:49:55.
Meanwhile, the 10K race through Zurich’s city centre brought more outstanding results, with Erik Elstermann (MSc MTEC) clocking an impressive 37:50 in the men’s category and Junyi Bao (MSc MTEC) finishing in 54:13 in the women’s category.
Our sincere thanks go to the stellar organising crew: Alexander Albers, Matthias Bickel, Jeroen Fontana, Cayleigh McCreight, and Jana Spiering. Their commitment and efforts brought the entire event to life.
“What an incredible day! It was amazing to see everyone soaking up the sunshine and good vibes along the course. The event was a perfect blend of community and achievement.”Jeroen Fontana, MSc MTEC student
Reflecting on the day, Jeroen Fontana (MSc MTEC), who also ran the full marathon, shared his excitement: “What an incredible day! It was amazing to see everyone soaking up the sunshine and good vibes along the course. The event was a perfect blend of community and achievement, with students connecting with MTEC staff, cheering each other on, and celebrating together afterwards. On a personal note, finally breaking the 4-hour mark in the marathon by 3 minutes was really special for me. A huge thanks to my friend Matej Svaral (MSc MTEC) who paced and pushed me the whole way.”
After the race, the D-MTEC community gathered at the WEV building for a well-deserved rooftop BBQ. With a panoramic view of the city and upbeat conversation filling the air, participants and supporters enjoyed grilled delicacies, snacks and refreshments.
A heartfelt congratulations to all who participated, organised, or cheered from the sidelines. Your dedication is what makes the D-MTEC spirit shine! We look forward to welcoming even more members to next year’s 24th annual Zurich Marathon (external page https://www.zuerichmarathon.ch) that will take place on 12 April 2026. Keep training, stay inspired, and we’ll see you at the starting line!