Salzburg Marathon 2026 | 2:49 – with a total longevity approach

Salzburg Marathon 2:49

I'm not proud of the result, but all the more of the six-month preparation: the strength training, cross-training (swimming), leg and core strengthening, mobilizing exercises, jumps and stair sessions all followed a total longevity approach – and of course there was running in it too.

Many, many low-heart-rate kilometres, trail runs, mountain endurance, hill sprints, interval sessions, weekend long runs, tune-up races, and most importantly: proper recovery so that adaptation could happen.

In March, 10K and half marathon races came in a row (although at this level races are more like community experiences where we also run): my form improved week by week, personal bests slipped in, but unfortunately I messed up the marathon-specific training in April – perhaps that's why the planned time didn't come together in Salzburg.

There were dropped, lost and stolen gels (-4 energy gels, minus several hundred calories that would have been welcome in the last 10 km), a wrong turn with the pack, and above all inadequate preparation in recent weeks. (But sometimes you have to work, do a PhD and rest too. Everything in moderation – too much of a good thing can be harmful.)

Although the marathon itself didn't go well this time, I still achieved my goal: an increasingly healthy system, stronger and more stable muscles and bones, improving circulation and lung capacity, nicely growing mitochondrial count and efficiency, minimal stress level, maximal antioxidant defence – and I could go on listing the positive health effects.

This marathon package as a whole is nothing less than a total anti-aging practice, complemented by diet, sleep, recovery, and time spent in nature and in community.

Only one part of marathon running is not so healthy: the marathon itself. The 42 km run in one go doesn't necessarily add years to your life, but it certainly adds experiences, lessons and a little extra Life Force.

Thank you for the longevity marathon plan to my coach friend László Lovász, and for the support of the Kiprun running brand to Decathlon Hungary. As the Kiprun slogan goes: More runs. More life.

To be continued at the Decathlon Running Evening at Heroes' Square on June 27!