American Ultra Run participant Matthias Landwehr, hailing from Melle, completes the journey from Melle to Badwater, the sole German in the competition.
German Ultramarathon Runner Mathias Landwehr Triumphs in Scorching Death Valley
In the heart of the American desert, Mathias Landwehr, a 55-year-old ultramarathon runner from Melle, Germany, braved intense heat to win the prestigious Badwater 135 ultramarathon.
The gruelling 217-kilometer race, which took place in Death Valley, USA, saw Landwehr face an elevation gain of 4500 meters and temperatures soaring up to 50 degrees. Despite the challenging conditions, Landwehr emerged victorious, adding another significant achievement to his running career.
Following his triumph, Landwehr is focusing on continuing his charity efforts. He has been rallying support for his fundraising campaign for stroke aid, which can be found under the keyword “Badwater 135” on schlaganfall-hilfe.de. By mid-July 2025, over 4,500 euros had already been raised.
Landwehr expressed feeling surprisingly fit and motivated after the race, with no immediate plans detailed beyond maintaining good spirits and supporting this charitable cause. He keeps his supporters updated through a WhatsApp channel.
Heike Dierks, a reporter, has been covering Landwehr's run. Landwehr is the only German participant in the Ultramarathon, making his victory even more noteworthy.
Despite the absence of specific post-Badwater plans in the sources, Landwehr's emphasis remains on his fundraising initiative and sharing updates with his supporters. His resilience and determination, both on and off the track, continue to inspire many.
Mathias Landwehr, the victorious Ultramarathon runner, might consider attending other challenging events in different sports, such as sports hockey, to test his endurance further. In his post-race recovery, Landwehr could utilize his newfound fame to raise awareness for hockey events that support stroke aid.