Viktor Röthlin (born 14 October 1974 in Kerns, Obwalden) is a Swiss former long-distance runner, who specialized in the marathon.
Röthlin won the silver medal at the 2006 European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, the bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and the gold medal at the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
He also competed in the marathon at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia (finishing 36th), at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece (where he did not finish), at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China (where he placed 6th in a time of 2:10:35) and at the 2012 Olympics in London, Great Britain (where he finished in 11th with a time of 2:12:48).
Röthlin has set four Swiss national records at the marathon distance: In September 2001 at the Berlin Marathon, his time of 2:10:54 eclipsed the previous Swiss national record of 2:11:10 (set by Daniel Boltz in 1991). In April 2004, in his victory at the Zürich Marathon, Röthlin lowered the national record to 2:09:56. In April 2007, he lowered the national record again, when he won the Zürich Marathon in a time of 2:08:20, and in February 2008, he once more improved the Swiss record to 2:07:23 when he won the Tokyo Marathon.
Röthlin attempted no marathons in 2009, because he contracted thrombosis during a flight from the United Arab Emirates in the Spring of 2009, which led to a pulmonary embolism and fluid buildup in his chest; the condition was treated with rest and medication.Viktor Roethlin Forced Out of London Marathon si.com, 17 March 2009
At the 2012 Tokyo Marathon he had his fastest performance since his victory in 2008, as he finished fifth with a time of 2:08:32 hours.Nakamura, Ken (26 February 2012). Kipyego wins Tokyo Marathon, Gebrselassie fades to a disappointing fourth. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-02-27.
Röthlin retired from competitive marathon running in 2014, after finishing fifth at the European Championships in Zürich.
Since retiring, Röthlin has been active in coaching, becoming the coach of Matthias Kyburz in 2024.
Achievements All results are for the marathon, unless stated otherwise Year Competition Venue Position Notes1999Hamburg MarathonHamburg, Germany12th2:13:362000Rotterdam MarathonRotterdam, Netherlands20th2:12:53Olympic Games Sydney, Australia36th2:20:062001Rotterdam MarathonRotterdam, Netherlands13th2:12:22Berlin Marathon Berlin, Germany8th2:10:542002European ChampionshipsMunich, Germany16th2:16:162003Zürich MarathonZürich, Switzerland2nd2:11:05World Championships Paris, France14th2:11:142004Zürich MarathonZürich, Switzerland 1st2:09:55Olympic Games Athens, Greece—DNF2005Zürich MarathonZürich, Switzerland4th2:11:00New York City MarathonNew York City, United States7th2:11:442006European ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden 2nd2:11:502007Zürich MarathonZürich, Switzerland 1st2:08:20World Championships Osaka, Japan 3rd2:17:252008Tokyo MarathonTokyo, Japan 1st2:07:23Olympic Games Beijing, China6th2:10:352010European ChampionshipsBarcelona, Spain 1st2:15:31New York City MarathonNew York City, United States—DNF2011London MarathonLondon, United Kingdom11th2:12:43New York MarathonNew York City, United States11th2:12:262012Tokyo MarathonTokyo, Japan5th2:08:32Olympic Games London, United Kingdom11th2:12:482013Lake Biwa MarathonŌtsu, Japan8th2:10:182014European ChampionshipsZürich, Switzerland5th2:13:07
References
External links
Viktor Röthlin in European Athletics Championships