Tanja Schoenenborn
Extreme runner (ultra runner)
From ‘couch potato’ to professional runner
Tanja Schönenborn’s journey into sport began relatively late. By her own account, she was hardly physically active until the end of 2015 and weighed around 28 to 30 kilograms more than she does today. A key moment after the 2015 Christmas holidays motivated her to start running.
As early as 2016, she completed her first half marathon in Leverkusen. She ran her first marathon in 2017 at the Cologne Marathon through the Königsforst in Bergisch Gladbach. Within just a few years, she developed from a beginner who could barely manage three kilometers into one of Germany’s most successful desert runners.
Athletic achievements and records
She specializes in extreme multi-stage races in desert regions:
- Gobi March (Mongolia): At her debut in June 2017, she finished 5th in the women’s category.
- Atacama Crossing (Chile): In 2019, she achieved 2nd place in the women’s ranking in this 250-kilometer race through one of the driest deserts in the world.
- Victory in Morocco (2019): She claimed her first win in the women’s category, completing the demanding course over rocky and sandy terrain in around 15.5 hours.
- Namibia crossing (2021): Together with her ex-partner Rafael Fuchsgruber, she ran 1,000 kilometers across the Namib Desert in 17 days—an extraordinary achievement for this route.
- São Tomé and Príncipe (2022): She placed 2nd in the women’s category in a 200-kilometer race on the island group.
- Oman Desert Marathon (2025): In January 2025, she finished 3rd in the women’s category over 165 kilometers, underlining her continued international top-level performance.
Author and coach
Tanja Schönenborn uses her experiences to inspire and support others:
- Books: Together with Rafael Fuchsgruber, she wrote the books “Wer die Wahl hat, liebt die Qual” and “Running Wild in Afrika.” The book “Running Girls – Laufen mit Kopf und Herz” was written entirely by her.
- Coaching & camps: As a certified coach and nutritionist, she offers running and trail camps. Under the name “Run to Grow,” she runs her own company, through which she supports people—especially women—in developing both athletically and mentally.
Training and physical challenges
- Managing a heel spur: Prior to the 1,000-kilometer project in Namibia, she suffered from a painful heel spur. To continue training, she shifted around 80% of her workouts to indoor cycling in order to reduce impact while still maintaining her aerobic base.
- Mental strategy: In podcasts and articles, she speaks openly about dealing with pain, crises, and grief as drivers of personal growth—often described by the guiding motif of “running away from pain.”
Commitment to female runners
Girls' trail camps: She organizes dedicated trail running camps—such as those in Saalbach Hinterglemm—specifically aimed at women. The focus is not only on performance, but also on running technique (e.g., the use of poles) and overcoming mental barriers.
