Switzerland's fastest farmer: happiness is in the running
6.8.2018
Translation: machine translated
Video: Manuel Wenk
Today I had the chance to run alongside Switzerland's fastest farmer. Patrik Wägeli is a marathon runner and "Fastest Farmer". I met him at his farm in Thurgau, in Nussbaumen to be exact. To what extent is this farmer the fastest in Switzerland? In any case, far too fast for me, as I found out.
On Sunday, Patrik Wägeli will represent Switzerland in Berlin by running the marathon at the European Athletics Championships. His personal best? 42.195 kilometres in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 2 seconds, a distance he covered last autumn in Frankfurt. In 2017, this result puts him in third place among the fastest Swiss over such a distance. By way of comparison: the current record is held by Switzerland's Tadesse Abraham at 2 hours, 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Where am I going with all these figures? Patrik Wägeli isn't just fast in the marathon, but in general.
Fastest farmer
Patrik Wägeli is a marathon runner as a second profession, but first and foremost a farmer. And he made that clear to me as soon as I arrived. I had to remove some stones from one of his fields. My idea was simply to run with him. But when duty calls...
This man with his bulging muscles needs not only a good dose of stamina, but discipline too. While other athletes are lounging in bed and thinking about dazzling victories, Patrik is putting in 20 to 30 kilometres every morning. And today is no exception. Afterwards, he goes off to do his job at the farm, before reserving a training slot for himself in the evening. Just listening to him, I'm already exhausted. Or could it be the stones in the field? Time for a quick break to find out more about Switzerland's fastest farmer:
35 seconds and that's it
Manuel Wenk, my colleague and video producer, had a great idea: I have to run alongside Patrik Wägeli while maintaining his top speed. In other words, almost 19 km/h, not downhill, but on the flat. Anyone who knows anything about racing will know what that means. Manuel thinks I'll be able to hold out for 5 to 10 minutes without any problems. What a chap! After exactly 35 seconds and 200 metres, I'm at the end of my rope and have to let the Fastest Farmer get ahead of me. He can keep going at that speed for over two hours, you can imagine. What was it he said during the interview again? Ah yes, "Pushing the limits of your body over a long period of time."
His performances are mind-blowing. As for me, I need a break again. In the end, we decide to take it easy and cover 6.5 kilometres in 35 minutes. For me, that's an average speed; for Patrick Wägeli, it's a leisurely stroll. Either way, I've got enough breath to have a chat with him. I'd like to know his objectives for the next marathon at the European Athletics Championships. "I'm aiming for a place in the top half of the rankings," retorts Patrik Wägeli, "and a team medal."
As we drive back to the farm, a delivery car pulls up: a "treadmill for Patrik Wägeli", says the delivery man, as he unloads the goods from the boot.
"I'm going to try it today without fail," assures the farmer, a smile on his face. Racing really is in his blood. As far as I'm concerned, I'm done racing for today.
"I'm going to try it out today without fail," says the farmer, a smile on his face.
On Sunday 12 August 2018, Patrik Wägeli will start his marathon at 10am sharp in Berlin at the European Athletics Championships. It's in front of the television, cup of coffee in hand, that I'll be crossing my fingers for the "Fastest Farmer", Switzerland's fastest farmer.
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Patrick Bardelli
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Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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