Barbara Mallmann: At the age of 54, she swims 42 kilometers for a good cause!

Barbara Mallmann: At the age of 54, she swims 42 kilometers for a good cause!

What an achievement! Barbara Mallmann, 54 years old from Freising, impressively showed what she was made of during the 25-hour swim in Regensburg at the end of October 2025. She completed an incredible 42.2 kilometers in just 22 hours and thus secured first place. Her participation was not only a sporting triumph, but also a matter of the heart because she was swimming for a good cause.

Barbara’s story is an inspiring one. She was once a talented runner and even athlete representative for the German national ultramarathon team. But after battling a life-sustaining illness in 2002 that severely restricted her movements, she became an early retiree. During her rehabilitation, a fellow patient gave her the courage to return to sport. Within just six weeks, she increased her endurance to an impressive five kilometers and took part in her first 100-kilometer run in Switzerland in 2002, which she finished in 11 hours and 21 minutes. This challenge marked the beginning of her second career as an endurance athlete.

Long-term successes and setbacks

In 2006, Barbara was called up to the national team and enjoyed great success, including a sixth place finish at the European Championships in Torhout, Belgium. Her career spanned over a decade of active competitive sports, in which she achieved eight third places and one runner-up title at German championships. But after a retirement in 2017 due to sudden knee problems and five necessary operations between 2017 and 2022, her sporting career seemed uncertain.

However, giving up was never an option for the dedicated athlete. Instead, she found swimming as a new way to stay active. “I use swimming as endurance training and still put my heart and soul into the events,” says Mallmann. She even organized a 24-hour swim; over 500 participants took part this year to collect kilometers together for people in need. Their next event will take place on June 27, 2026 and will have the motto “Collect kilometers for people in need”.

The health challenges

Barbara Mallmann is not only an impressive athlete, but also an example of how important it is to listen to your body. Ultramarathons, which are races beyond the classic marathon distance, have their own health challenges. Studies show that extreme endurance exercise can put a lot of strain on both the metabolism and the cardiovascular system. Barbara finds herself in this reality, especially after twenty years of dealing with her infectious asthma. The constant training, often six times a week, not only strengthens their fitness, but also helps to manage the symptoms of their illness.

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is just keep going and not give up,” says Mallmann. In her runs and swimming events, she not only wants to set new records, but also inspire and encourage others to push their own limits. Commitment to a good cause is an important driving force and underlines that every step counts, no matter how small.

For Barbara Mallmann one thing is certain: swimming will remain a part of her sporting journey. With tireless efforts, she wants to continue to take part in events and motivate others to do the same. It will be exciting to see what she will achieve in the future.