Meet Max Rahm, long distance runner and Winner of 2024 "Wings for Life World Run Germany"

Max Rahm, a 27-year-old trail and ultra runner from a small village near Kaiserslautern, Germany, describes himself as a “pro-lite” as he transitions from semi-professional to full professional status. Max discovered his passion for long-distance running at a young age. After a brief stint at college in the USA, he returned to Germany to fully dedicate himself to trail and ultra running. His greatest success to date was his unexpected victory at the Wings for Life World Run in Munich, where he ranked fifth globally. Outside of running, Max is a warm, family-oriented person who considers his family his most important support system. As he puts it, “Without the support of my family, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

To get to know Max a little better, we asked him a few questions:

What role does your home play in your life, and how have your past experiences shaped you into the person and runner you are today?

My home in Rhineland-Palatinate and my family have greatly influenced me and play an important role in my life. Growing up in a rural area, I was exposed to various outdoor activities from an early age, which fueled my love of running.

Before fully committing to running, I worked as a carpenter. Balancing the demands of a trade job with a budding sports career wasn't always easy, but my family supported me throughout. Their support was also crucial when I took the bold step of moving to the USA to combine sports and studies. Although life in the States and track running didn't suit me, I will never forget those experiences. That’s why I returned to Germany earlier this year and embarked on a new path in the trail and ultra running scene.

What has been your greatest success in running so far, and how did you experience that moment?

My biggest success was undoubtedly winning the Wings for Life World Run in Munich and ranking fifth worldwide. Even now, it's hard to believe I accomplished that on the day. Finishing first in Germany after covering over 65.3 kilometers and setting a new course record was simply indescribable. I couldn’t hold back a tear or two—I was finally able to show what I’m capable of. That day confirmed that the many decisions I had made in the previous months, like dropping out of the sports scholarship in the USA to pursue my dream of trail and ultra running, were the right ones.

You once said that you gave up your job as a carpenter to concentrate on running and your studies. How did this decision change your life?

It wasn’t an easy decision, as I was the third generation in our family business, but it was necessary for me to reach my full potential as a runner. Running has now become the center of my life, and I didn’t want to look back in 10-15 years and wonder why I hadn’t given it my all. Studying has given me the flexibility to optimize my training, and with a marketing degree, I can continue to pursue the creativity I enjoyed in my carpentry career. This decision has allowed me to fully focus on my goals, and I've already made significant progress. I may not be a full professional yet, which is why I call myself a 'pro-lite,' but I’m thrilled to have found a partner in Libratone that’s a perfect fit—both personally and in terms of their products!

Check out Max Rahm's Instagram and follow him.

Foto Credits: Red Bull