On the 16th-17th of December a team of 12 orienteers from Switzerland* will be taking on the 4 year old record for 24hr treadmill running. The current record was set by the Wattenscheid Running Team of Germany in November 2007, and stands at a staggering 429.28km (266.74 miles). The event is part of the annual Jedder Rappen Zählt (Every penny counts) fundraising campaign in Switzerland.
The 12-man team boasts a lineup of international orienteers at both junior and senior level and no fewer than 3 WOC medalists:
Fabian Hertner (WOC Silver, 2010)
Christian Hohl
Anders Holmberg (WOC Silver, 2011; *Swedish)
Raffael Huber
Gabriel Lombriser
Stefan Lombriser
Andreas Kyburz
Matthias Kyburz (World Cup Gold, 2011)
Christian Mathys
Jonas Mathys
Matthias Merz (WOC Gold 2007)
Chirstoph Rathgeb
Such a challenge obviously poses not only a great physical challenge, but a logistical one as well. When interviewed, current record holder and international German orienteer Alexander Lubina (5000m PB of 13:38) was reluctant to reveal his team's "secret weapon" of logistics. However he eventually revealed that the 12 man squad was split into two teams of 6. Each of these teams did two blocks of 6 hours, with a 6 hour rest (sleep) in between. During each sub-team's treadmill phase they ran for 10 minutes, covering approximately 3km, followed by 50 minutes rest. This was repeated 6 times to complete the 6 hours stint. After that it was 6 hours of sleep before repeating the process all over again.
Although the Swiss OL Team have not yet revealed their itinerary, it would seem that the current record holders from Germany perfected the strategy. A 10 minute maximal exertion equates very closely to an athletes maximal VO2 pace. That is to say they are doing the shortest time and fastest pace possible whilst maintaining aerobic activity. Any shorter (therefore faster) would become anaerobic and any longer (slower) would not be maximising their aerobic power. Two treadmills are also used, with the incoming runner getting their treadmill up to speed before the change-over from the previous runner. This eliminates the baton ever having to decelerate during the 24 hours.
So, the big question. Will they do it?
Yes, I think so. All of the team members have competed in either a JWOC, World Cup, European or World Championship. Running 3km in 10 minutes is hard, but comfortably hard, and with 50 minutes off before the next effort they have plenty of time to recofer. I think the real challenge will come in the second 6 hour stint. If they fuel properly and sleep well then I think this record will be beaten, and beaten comfortably.
You can follow the build up on facebook, as long as you can read German or use Google translate: http://www.facebook.com/24hWeltrekord?sk=wall
Do you think they will do it? What will be their final distance? Perhaps we can have a little competition?
P.S. Some readers may remember Scott Fraser, Murray Strain and Graeme Ackland breaking the 10,000m WR as a 3-man relay to raise funds for the GBR Squad support fund. Perhaps the GBR Squad could go one step further and get a legitimate world record...
They must have been pretty efficient on the changeovers.
