A Brief Introduction
Alex Lunghi
Part-Time PE Teacher
Based in Morges, Switzerland
Speaks French, English and Italian
Finisher 2025 -Â Diagonale des Fous 100 miles
Finisher 2026 - Crossing Switzerland 400km
Master's Degree in Sport Sciences from UNIL in 2018
Who is Alex
Born in Ticino, Switzerland, in 1990, I grew up surrounded by nature, spending countless hours outdoors and many summers in the mountains.
​
After exploring a wide range of sports, I dedicated myself to track and field for more than a decade, eventually specializing in the 400 m hurdles.
​
Following my compulsory education, I moved to Lausanne to study Sport Sciences and English, combining my passion for movement with a deeper understanding of human performance.
​
During my university years, I gradually transitioned from the track to the trails, discovering a new passion for endurance running. In 2018, I completed my first ultra-trail race, a milestone that marked the beginning of a journey that continues to inspire me today.
​
Since becoming a high school level sport teacher in 2021, I have combined my professional expertise with my experience as an athlete, while continuing to pursue ambitious ultra-running projects, care for my two dogs, and enjoy an active family life.
My ultra-trail running career
Since 2018, I have been discovering what it truly means to be an ultra-trail runner. The journey has required not only physical endurance and mental resilience, but also the ability to learn from mistakes, setbacks, and injuries.
​
Transitioning from track and field to trail running, I chose to leave behind a purely competitive mindset and focus instead on personal challenges and self-improvement. Rather than competing against others, I became motivated by the idea of pushing my own limits and exploring what I was capable of achieving.
​
By combining academic knowledge with real-world experience, I have learned how to overcome obstacles, manage injuries, and continually raise the bar for myself.
​
Two of my proudest achievements came in 2025 and 2026, when I became a finisher of the Diagonale des Fous (100-mile - 10,500 mD+) and Crossing Switzerland (400km, 25,000 mD+). These results are the culmination of a carefully planned and executed training plan built around these two races.
​
For more details about my racing history and results, feel free to explore my ITRA, UTMB, and STRAVA profiles.
More about me
My philosophy in coaching, teaching, and life in general is rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and understanding. I believe that every person has a unique background, perspective, and set of challenges, and I strive to adapt my approach to meet their individual needs.
​
This mindset has encouraged me to explore topics and experiences I might otherwise never have encountered, from menstrual cycle–adaptive training (often referred to as "cycle syncing") to understanding the challenges faced by today's teenagers and finding constructive ways to support them.
​
One of the most significant changes in my life came in 2017, when I adopted a fully plant-based diet after reflecting on animal welfare in the food industry.
​
That decision led me to become more knowledgeable and proactive about nutrition, which has proven to be a valuable asset in my journey as an ultra-trail runner. Today, I coach both omnivorous and plant-based athletes and am always happy to share my personal experience with nutrition-related questions, while recognising that I am not a registered nutritionist.
​
Outside of coaching, teaching and trail running, you will most likely find me hiking in Scotland, exploring the mountains with my girlfriend and our dogs, or volunteering at a local animal sanctuary.