Foto: @goldentrailseries

A few weeks ago, triathlete Adrien Briffod announced his retirement from elite sport. The 31-year-old athlete from Vevey has enjoyed major success, winning bronze medals at the European Championship and the European Games, and he qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In future, he hopes to try his luck at trail running. He has already made his mark this year, finishing 4th at Sierre–Zinal!

Trail running

I was a passionate triathlete for many years. However, after the 2024 Olympic Games, I felt it was time for a change — that I wanted to train more freely, with less structure and more spontaneity. I spent 2025 finding out what brings me joy and where my interests lie. The result of this search was trail running. I still train with great enthusiasm and love spending time in the mountains – a perfect combination. It feels incredibly liberating not to have to swim lengths in the pool almost every day at 6 am, followed by one or two more training sessions during the day, but instead to be able to run in the mountains and perhaps squeeze in a bike session as well.

2026 goals

I intend to take part in the three major races: Zegama–Aizkorri, Sierre–Zinal and the Marathon du Mont-Blanc. And I don’t just want to take part – I want to win. My appetite has been whetted by my strong performance at Sierre–Zinal, for which I only did a few specific training sessions.

Training Routine

My daily routine has become much more relaxed, as I no longer have a swim session scheduled early in the morning. As much as I loved swimming and the feeling of being in the water, I don’t miss it today. Now, I usually get up between 7 and 8 am and do my first training session at 9:30. After lunch and a bit of rest, I do a second session in the afternoon. Sometimes, instead of two shorter sessions, I do one long one. On average, I cover 100 kilometres on foot and 200 kilometres by bike each week. I train either alone or with former triathletes. Once a week, I include strength training. From June, I plan to work 40 to 50 per cent as a civil engineer, which fits in well with my new sport.

Training philosophy

For me, the most important thing is that training is always enjoyable and fulfilling. I like tough training sessions and enjoy doing them with friends. 

80% of my training is long and low-intensity, while 20% is high-intensity.

Coach

Since switching to trail running, I no longer have a coach as such, but I do have an adviser, Maël Bohren, who is the national coach at Swiss Athletics.

Race demands

In triathlon, particularly at races over the Olympic distance, I was at my limit in all three disciplines throughout and couldn’t afford any mistakes. Trail running, however, is different. Races last 3 to 5 hours, and mistakes or rough patches can still be overcome.

My strength

My motivation. If I have set my mind on something, I do my utmost to achieve it. At the same time, I’m very good at accepting when things don’t go well and always find a solution when there’s a problem.

My weakness

I’m never entirely satisfied with what I’ve achieved, and so I’m always trying to optimise things.

Managing intensity

I always train based on how I'm feeling.

Insider tip

Sport should be enjoyable and should never become a burden. So do what brings you joy and makes you feel good.