Chiara Scherrer: Swiss Steeplechase Record Holder and Middle-Distance Standout
(born January 24, 1996) is one of Switzerland’s premier track and field athletes, specializing in the 3000 meters steeplechase. A multiple-time national champion and record holder, Scherrer has represented Switzerland at major international competitions, steadily rising from promising junior to elite senior competitor. Her career is defined by national records, championship medals, and a reputation for consistency and resilience.
Scherrer began her international career at a young age, gaining valuable experience at the 2014 World U20 Championships in Eugene and the 2015 European U20 Championships in Eskilstuna. Although she did not advance beyond the preliminary rounds in these early outings, with times of 11:05.00 and 10:56.16 respectively, these formative experiences laid the groundwork for her future success3.
In 2017, she finished eighth at the European U23 Championships in Bydgoszcz (10:06.41), and in 2018, she placed fourth in the U23 race at the European Cross Country Championships in Tilburg. Later that year, she made her senior European Championships debut in Berlin, running 9:47.46 in the steeplechase heats3.
Scherrer’s breakthrough came as she began to dominate the Swiss national scene and improve her international competitiveness:
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: Four-time outdoor Swiss champion and two-time Swiss Indoor champion3.
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: Has won national medals in the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, and cross country3.
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: Finished fourth at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples (9:47.38) and continued to represent Switzerland at the highest level, including the 2022 World Championships and European Championships3.
Scherrer is the Swiss record holder in several events:
Her 9:20.28 steeplechase is not only the Swiss record but also placed her among the top European steeplechasers and earned her a fifth-place finish at the Paris Diamond League. She has also achieved a national best performance in the 2000m steeplechase135.
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: Ran 9:22.15 in the heats, narrowly missing the final3.
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: Finished 13th in the final (9:43.95)3.
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: Selected for the Swiss team, though she did not finish her event in the championships4.
Scherrer has also been a regular at European Team Championships and cross country events, consistently representing Switzerland at the continental level23.
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: #64 in the women’s 3000m steeplechase1.
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: Among the top Swiss and European steeplechasers1.
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: Four outdoor and two indoor Swiss titles, plus multiple medals in various middle- and long-distance events3.
| Event | Mark | Venue/Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3000m Steeplechase | 9:20.28 | Paris, 18 June 2022 | Swiss Record |
| 2000m Steeplechase | 6:12.44 | Uster, 10 June 2022 | Swiss Record |
| 5K Road | 15:34 | Lausanne, 8 May 2022 | Swiss Record |
| Indoor 3000m | 9:10.33 | Macolin, 20 Feb 2021 | Swiss Record |
| 10km Road | 32:43 | 27 Sep 2020 |
Chiara Scherrer is recognized for her technical proficiency in the steeplechase, her ability to compete at a high level across multiple distances, and her resilience in championship racing. Her national records have set new standards for Swiss women’s distance running, and her consistent presence at major championships continues to inspire the next generation of Swiss athletes.
Go Chiara!
