Sub-3 success – in Chicago too
Consistent development at the highest level
Just a few weeks after his sub-3 success at the Berlin Marathon, the next highlight was already on the horizon for Gregor Gretz: the Chicago Marathon on 12 October 2025.
And this time it was even faster. With a time of 2:55:27 hours, Gregor ran significantly faster than in Berlin – and once again under the 3-hour mark.
Progress in a short space of time
What makes this run especially remarkable is the timing. Only a few weeks separated the two marathons – a period that in endurance sport is normally reserved for recovery. Even so, he managed to improve his performance significantly. The improvement of almost four minutes is a clear indication of very precise training control and an exact balance between load and recovery. As in Berlin, this run too was characterised by a consistent pace and controlled race management all the way to the finish. This combination of stability and targeted development is anything but a given in the marathon.
Chicago in the context of the World Marathon Majors
The Chicago Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors and ranks among the fastest courses in the world. Flat course profiles, often favourable weather conditions and an elite international field make the race an ideal setting for personal bests. For Gregor, this race too is part of an overarching goal: the complete finishing of all World Marathon Majors. With Chicago, another important step on this path has been achieved – and with a performance that clearly underlines his own development.
Consistency and progression as a principle of success
The combination of the races in Berlin and Chicago vividly shows what sustainable performance is based on: the connection between consistency and targeted progression. A stable performance base makes it possible to exploit development potential in a controlled way, without the risk of drop-offs or overload. It is precisely this ability – not just to deliver performance in isolated moments but to develop it systematically – that is a decisive factor at the highest level.
Parallels to data-driven work at Datico®
As already with the Berlin Marathon, it becomes clear here too that performance at this level is no accidental product. It arises through structured preparation, continuous analysis and the ability to make well-founded decisions on the basis of data. These principles are found not only in endurance sport but also in the world of Datico®. The management of health and performance rests on the same foundations: transparency, systematic work and the meaningful connection of data.
Conclusion
With his time of 2:55:27 hours at the Chicago Marathon, Gregor Gretz consistently continues his development and shows the potential that lies in a clearly structured and data-driven approach. The combination of two strong races within a short period underlines not only individual capability but also the quality of the underlying strategy. We look ahead with anticipation to the next stations of the World Marathon Majors.