What is “On” at the feet of runner Nicola Spirig?

At 40, a mother of three and a seasoned veteran, one wonders what’s “on” the feet of world-class runner and triathlete Nicola Spirig of Switzerland.

The clue is contained in the question. She wears the shoes of the Swiss shoe market disruptor On. A brand that quickly imposed itself on the athletics market with the big names.

Photo credit: On

We signed athletes to represent the brand. Former Canadian marathon record holder – brand new mom – Rachel Cliff and 2022 USATF 10,000m Champion Joe Klecker are two standout athletes. Enter the latest athlete, Spirig.

She is a double Olympic medalist (gold in London in 2012). She dominated the ITU triathlon around the world for over 20 years. The inspiring journey of this triathlon legend will be told in a short film, due out in June. The film follows Spirig’s colossal attempt to spend less than eight hours on the *Ironman distance and is expected to be the last race of his career.

*Ironman is a brand. There is no official record, but the best-known time in the world for an event involving all three disciplines over the same distances as the Ironman-branded complete triathlon.

The women’s record is 8:18:13 by Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain. She accomplished the feat in 2011.

The documentary

On, presents the documentary entitled “Nicola’s Spirit”. It is an original short film written and directed by Simon Brotherson and produced by filmmaker Andrew Telling. The documentary-style film gives viewers a personal perspective on Spirig’s rise to become one of the most accomplished, admired and celebrated triathletes of our time. Shot on location in Gran Canaria, Nicholas’ spirit seemingly offers an intimate reflection and unprecedented insight into the competitive psyche and spirit of his final competitive year.

Photo credit: On

The five-minute film captures Spirig’s training against the stunning backdrop of the Gran Canaria mountains, as she gives a candid portrait of what Spirit means to her personally. She provides an introspective understanding of her own race-day mindset and her career-long ambition to be the best. The film shows his post-injury treatment, after breaking three ribs, fracturing his collarbone and puncturing a lung. This all happened because of a bicycle accident. The accident happened three months before her attempt to be the first woman to complete a full-distance triathlon in under eight hours in June this year. Spirig describes his satisfaction in setting high, sometimes unattainable goals. This is where she can beat her current personal best of 9:14:07.

Nicholas’ spirit talks about the legacy Nicola left in the sport for future generations to learn from and hopefully follow,” says Feliciano Robayna, Executive Producer and Head of Sports Marketing at On.

“Becoming a mother of three children while continuing to achieve her championship ambition shows unwavering strength and determination. As the final curtain closes on his 20-year career, Nicola aims to make the impossible possible at the Pho3nix Sub8 project. The new short serves as a mantle and testament to one of the most revered competitors and heroines of our time, while inspiring the next generation of athletes to find their true spirit in the journey. Nicola is a shining example of what it means to push your limits while always remembering to enjoy the process.

We have partnered with the Pho3nix Foundation, a non-profit organization established for the sole purpose of promoting physical activity as a way to improve the health and well-being of children, with a particular focus on people with disabilities. disadvantaged situation. The Foundation’s core mission is twofold: to create global initiatives that inspire, including the Sub7 and Sub8 endeavors with the elite athlete team Pho3nix, as well as providing local and regional programs that directly help the efforts of young people.

His career

A triathlete since the age of 10, Spirig became a two-time Olympic medalist, seven-time European champion and Swiss sportswoman of the year in 2012. Her career speaks for itself.

During her career, she also managed to become a lawyer and has a family with her husband and vice-world champion Reto Hug. Between European and world elite competitions. In 2019, the 37-year-old was back in competition. At the ITU World Cup in Hamburg, three weeks after giving birth, followed by the Grand Final of the World Triathlon Series held in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Spirig became the European and World Junior Champion, as well as the winner of several ITU World Series and Half-Ironman races. In the 13 years from 1998 to 2010, Spirig competed in 72 ITU competitions and reached 39 top 10s. His career was strong. Vice-world champion and team world champion in 2010, then six-time European champion (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018) as well as gold medal at the Ironman in Cozumel in 2014 and at the Games 2015 European Championships. Spirig has also won seven Ironman 70.3 titles, being on the podium in every half Ironman race she has entered. The Swiss star’s career also includes a 2:37:12 marathon and twice won second place in the Zurich Marathon.

She is a three-time national champion in the 5000m.

Spirig’s attempt of less than eight hours at Pho3nix Sub8 Project will take place this Sunday, June 5th. Nicholas’ spirit presented by On is visible from June 13 on on-running.com/nicolaspirit.

Comments are closed.