Athletes

The athletes who make the heart of running beat 🏃

Behind every record, every victory and every DNF, there is a story. That of Eliud Kipchoge, who pushed the limits of the marathon 🏃, that of Kilian Jornet, who turned the mountain into a playground, that of Anaïs Quemener, who made running a reason to keep going. In this section, Finishers tells you about the runners who make you want to lace up your shoes and get back to a start line 🏁.

From pioneers to today's stars

You'll meet the legends who wrote the first pages of running: Emil Zátopek and his impossible stride, Abebe Bikila barefoot on the Roman cobblestones 🏛️, Bobbi Gibb and Beth Bonner, who forced open the doors of the Boston Marathon when women were not welcome there. And then the new generation, the ones you might see wearing a bib this weekend: Agathe Bes, Baptiste Chassagne, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, Hellen Obiri and many others ⏱️.

What you'll find in each profile

Not just a list of results. We trace the thread back: the beginnings, the club, the first race, the injuries, career choices, rivalries and the races that changed everything 🩺. We also explain why a particular performance really matters, backed by numbers and context, so you know what's at stake when you watch a finish at the UTMB or a World Marathon Major. Each profile links to the relevant disciplines and races, so you can go from story to calendar in one click 🗓️.

From inspiration to your next bib

All these stories began the same way, with a first start line. Whether you're aiming for a finish time, a first marathon or a mountain ultra, you're sure to find someone whose journey speaks to you 🫡. And when you're done reading 📖, the Finishers calendar is waiting for you to choose your next race.