Quick Facts
Biography
Herbert Steffny (born 5 September 1953 in Trier) is a former German long distance track event runner and prominent physical trainer.
Professional career
After successes as a youth in long distance running, Steffny gave up the competitive sport to begin his studies in order to begin in the older than 30 from the beginning.
From the start, he attained a victory in the Echternach Marathon in 1983, and in the following year he would place third in the New York City Marathon.
Steffny would be the German champion in the 1985 marathon run, 1987 German champion in 10,000 meter run and 1989 German Champion in cross country. In addition came the title in the 25 kilometer road running and fell running. He won the Eurocross competition in Luxembourg in 1988.
He would be the first West German marathon runner to hold a medal in a major international event, as he placed 3rd in the 1986 European Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart with a time of 2:11:30.
He started for Post-Jahn Freiburg. In his active career (officially particularly from the 80's), he was 1.79 meters tall and weighed 67 kg.
Achievements
- All results regarding marathon, unless stated otherwise
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  West Germany | ||||
| 1985 | Frankfurt Marathon | Frankfurt, West Germany | 1st | 2:12:12 |
| 1986 | Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 5th | 2:11:17 |
| 1989 | Frankfurt Marathon | Frankfurt, West Germany | 1st | 2:13:51 |
| Munich Marathon | Munich, West Germany | 1st | 2:11:30 | |
| Representing Germany | ||||
| 1991 | Frankfurt Marathon | Frankfurt, Germany | 1st | 2:13:45 |
| Pittsburgh Marathon | Pittsburgh, United States | 1st | 2:16:21 | |
- Boston Marathon: 1996 Winner of the Age Class Championship (over 40)
Personal life
Herbert Steffny has a degree in Biology and became a running trainer after his sports career. Since 1998, he has written more books (among others the best seller "Das große Laufbuch") about running.
He has been a business leader of a company for running seminars, training and trips in the Titisee-Neustadt in the Black Forest. He looked after the former Federal Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer by his marathon training.
Steffny works as a Co-commentater for ARD television and presents the live feed in the City Marathons of Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and Mainz.
Also his older brother, the Spiridon editor Manfred Steffny, was also a successful marathon runner.