All Posts From zero to more than 100 kilometres at the North Sea Ultra
In 2023, the North Sea Ultra on Sylt became an unforgettable experience for its participants – especially for Alex from Nuremberg. She not only ran her first ultramarathon, but also finished the race as its winner. Here she shares her own story, her route to ultra distance running and how she prepared for this unique race.
From half-marathon runner to ultra heroine
Alex only began running in 2019 and, like many runners, started with shorter distances. “I began with half marathons and marathons, but the thought of taking on a really big challenge one day would not let me go,” she explains. During the pandemic she continued pursuing her running goals and discovered the North Sea Ultra on Sylt on Instagram. “I came across the advertisement and could not shake the thought – running 111 kilometres simply sounded crazy and exciting!”
The remarkable thing? The race on Sylt was her very first ultra. “I had never covered such a distance before. It was a challenge that really appealed to me.”
Preparing for more than 100 kilometres – the first ultra
Although she had no ultra experience, Alex prepared for the North Sea Ultra with a clear plan. “Over the course of the year I gradually increased my distances, kept doing longer runs and tried to extend my limits.” Her longest run before the race was 80 kilometres – a distance that gave her confidence. “I knew I was capable of meeting this challenge.”
The strategy she devised was simple: “My aim was to make it through. I told myself I simply had to see how far my legs would carry me.” That attitude helped her stay calm and complete the race successfully.
The magic of Sylt – nature and sporting challenge
“I had never been to Sylt before and did not really have high expectations,” says Alex. “You have your ideas, but the actual experience was completely different. The island surprised me enormously. The open space, the sea, nature – it was simply breathtaking.” She particularly remembers the start in the morning light at the Ellenbogen, the island’s northernmost point. “It was magical: the sun was rising and I had this incredible feeling of freedom.”
What made the race special was the blend of solitude and community. “At times you run alone, then again with others. Sometimes you are silent beside one another, and that is completely fine. Somehow it brings you together.”
Winning her first ultra – how surprised was Alex herself?
Finishing her first ultra and winning it was a particular surprise for Alex. “Of course your ambition kicks in at some point, but I am happiest about the experience itself. Standing on the podium is incredible, but what remains are the memories and the people you meet along the way.”
Her passion for long distances has not let go of her since. She now races a range of ultras and enjoys the variety of the sport. “I like running in the forest, but also on wide-open routes with a view of the sea. The wonderful thing about running is that you do not have to limit yourself.”
The magic of the North Sea Ultra – experiencing Sylt differently
Sylt has a reputation for luxury and glamour, but Alex experienced the island very differently: “It was simply pure nature. This landscape, the silence, the vastness – I was overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. Sylt is much more than the clichés people know.”
The intimate scale of the race also made the experience so intense. “It was lovely that the race was so small the first time. You stayed in contact with the other participants, exchanged ideas, and that family atmosphere made it even more special.”
Will she return in 2025?
After having to miss 2024 through injury, Alex was already planning to return in 2025. “I am normally not a fan of returning to the same place because I want to remember an experience as it was. But Sylt was so special – I am giving it a second chance!”
Her participation was therefore almost certain, and the North Sea Ultra team looked forward to seeing Alex back on the course. “It will be exciting to see how the race grows, but I hope it keeps its familiar charm,” says Alex.
Conclusion: a first ultra that changed everything
For Alex, the North Sea Ultra 2023 was more than a race – it was an experience that has stayed with her. “Running on Sylt will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first ultra, and the combination of challenge and the island’s beauty was simply unique.”
