It is with great sadness to inform you that Ralf Weis (GER) passed away on Thursday, January 16th, 2025. He was great ultrarunner and team manager for the 24-hour German Team from 2013 to 2023. His contributions to the sport and the community will be profoundly missed.
Ralf was an accomplished ultrarunner. Over the years, Ralf consistently pushed the boundaries of endurance, setting impressive personal bests that reflected his commitment to ultrarunning. His remarkable times in various distances include a 50km personal best of 3:33:45, at age 49 showcasing his ability to compete at an elite level. In the 100km category, Ralf recorded an outstanding time of 7:48:50 (age 50), an incredible 133.101 km in 12 hours. His 24-hour record of 249.251 km remains a highlight of his career, showcasing not just his physical capabilities but also his mental strength.
The global ultrarunning community is in shock over the sudden passing away of Ralf. He was a pillar of the 24hr ultrarunning community for decades and a close personal friend. On behalf of the IAU I extend our deepest condolences to Ralf's family and also to the German ultrarunning family.
Nadeem Khan, IAU President
On behalf of the IAU our thoughts are with Ralf’s family and the German ultrarunning community during these very difficult times.
Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication