Max Thorwirth – Finding a path into Professional Running
Everyone tries to find their own path. Like many others, I find my way through running and feel at home in the running community. For the AERO_REPORT, I’ve made it my mission to speak with people who have found their path within the running community to inspire our readers. As part of this research, I spoke with Maximilian Thorwirth to learn more about him and his journey. We talked about his role as a professional athlete and his motivations.
Maximilian is a successful runner, race organizer, and podcast host. His name is well-known in the German running scene, thanks to achievements such as 8th place at the Indoor World Championships and a time of 13:10.50 over 5000 meters. Others know him through the Auslaufen Podcast, where he is a co-host. However, I first met Maximilian at a time when his current path was still unclear.
I met Max for the first time in Big Bear Lake, California. Like me, he was preparing for the upcoming season. The Olympic Games were scheduled for 2020, and Max was focused on qualifying for them. After early successes like the German U23 championship title over 5000 meters and competing in the U23 European Championships, he knew he could hold his own internationally. Although he ultimately didn’t qualify for the Olympics, he was now on his way to becoming a full-time professional athlete—a path he is still on today.
Running, however, isn’t the only thing that drives Max. Even within the sport, it’s not just about the times for him. Max always wanted to become a professional athlete because he admired the lifestyle. He’s also always been guided by a strong sense of justice. That’s why he sees sport not just as a competition but as his place in the world to have a voice. He wants to use his platform to raise awareness about issues and highlight the successes of others. With this in mind, he also co-hosts the Auslaufen Podcast, one of the most successful running podcasts in Germany, which serves as a primary news source for me and many others, given that the “official” athletics media often leaves much to be desired.
Max is also a co-organizer of the KÖ Mile, which has gained international recognition and even set a world record in 2024. Max is a positive influence in the German athletics scene. He has realized that sport is more than just running and offers many opportunities to do good.
Max also values community. He trains in a group with a range of abilities—from professionals to hobby runners. This, he says, gives him perspective, as he, like many runners, struggles not to take training too seriously. This mindset gave rise to his motto: “Have fun, be fast.”
Max has had victories and setbacks in his career. However, he has never let them get him down. Max wants to see what he can achieve on the track without losing sight of the important things in life, like family, friends, and fun.
Through the AERO_REPORT, we aim to highlight exactly this: Sport can be tough and frustrating, the path is never linear, and every peak requires its valley. Max has found a way to stay true to himself. I urge readers to find their own reasons for doing sport and draw strength from them. We all want to run fast, but we also need balance and enjoyment. Other outlets in sport can contribute to this balance. So be active in the running community and start the project you’ve been thinking about. It’s not as serious as you might think—so have fun and run fast.
In the spotlight – @maximilian_thorwirth
