Weltklasse Zürich Extrameile Celebrates a Successful Premiere in Thun and Lucerne

“Ready, set, go!” — a familiar call at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium — rang out in two rather unexpected places this week. The brand-new Weltklasse Zürich Extrameile made its debut on Monday in Thun and on Tuesday in Lucerne, transforming everyday spaces into vibrant arenas of movement and fun.

In Thun, the Stockhorn Arena — in collaboration with FC Thun — was turned into a giant playground full of energy and excitement. In Lucerne, the grounds of the Swiss Museum of Transport became a lively sports venue for hundreds of children.

The Extrameile initiative is all about introducing endurance in a playful, pressure-free way — without stopwatches or rankings, but with self-assessment, self-reflection, and personal growth. Judging by the smiles on the children’s faces, the mission was a complete success.

Expanding Reach and Building Strong Partnerships

Christoph Joho, Co-Meeting Director of Weltklasse Zürich, was delighted with the premieres: “Seeing so many enthusiastic children and young people is always inspiring! Our project continues to grow, reaching more and more young people. Through sustainable initiatives like this, we aim to instil important values such as movement, self-reflection, and a positive mindset in the next generation.”

After several weeks of playful endurance training during their regular PE lessons, the students in Thun and Lucerne came together to run their “extra mile” — a special experience in a truly unique atmosphere. At both locations, the children were cheered on and celebrated by the Weltklasse Zürich team and the beloved mascot, Leo Letzi.

With these successful premieres, the Weltklasse Zürich Extrameile is continuing its expansion — with a clear goal: to inspire even more children and young people to embrace movement and build lasting endurance.

About the Weltklasse Zürich Extrameile

The project begins with each school class completing a one-mile (1,609-metre) course around their school grounds in a playful and engaging way. Over several weeks, they then train during PE lessons following ready-made lesson plans for “long-distance running” as part of the Swiss curriculum (Lehrplan 21). Each year, nearly 10,000 children take part in the Extrameile program each school year.

The focus is not on time or competition, but on self-assessment, reflection, and personal improvement. An “Extra Mile Booklet” — a movement diary — accompanies the students throughout the project, helping them track their progress. At the final event, they complete the mile once again, aiming to reach the personal goals they have set for themselves. The Weltklasse Zürich Extrameile is supported by the sports and education departments of the participating cities and cantons, Swiss Athletics, as well as the Freude herrscht foundation and Dar Vida.