Sophie Woods Sets New Record for Fastest Crossing of the Alps — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Sophie Woods, a 42-year-old from New Zealand, has set a new record for the fastest crossing of the Alps. She finished the 2,000km Via Alpina route in 29 days, beating the previous record by six days.
The route, which spans eight countries, includes elevation equivalent to climbing Mount Everest 12 times. Woods ran 15 to 18 hours daily, facing extreme weather and wildfires during her journey. Read more culture coverage.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Sophie Woods Sets New Record for Fastest Crossing of the Alps?
Sophie Woods completed the Via Alpina in 29 days, surpassing the previous record by six days. Sophie Woods, a 42-year-old from New Zealand, has set a new record for the fastest crossing of the Alps. She finished the 2,000km Via Alpina route in 29 days, beating the previous record by six days.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on August 3, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated August 2, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
THE WEEKLY BRIEFING
Start the week a step ahead.
A concise edit of the running stories worth knowing, sent every Monday.
