Lost two fingertips in the mountains
Referee legend: A life as an extreme athlete
10.06.2025 – 10:37 a.m.Reading time: 4 min.
Markus Merk made a big name as a referee. Today the 63-year-old still goes across borders as an extreme athlete.
In the middle of this insane desert race in the Sahara, an Italian Markus Merk looked into the face: “You whistled our Champions League final at the time, right?” Said the AC Milan fan. Also soon 17 years after his end of his career: Markus Merk remains something like the eternal referee. “It never stops,” says his wife Sabine at first, then laughing. Merk has long been living as an extreme athlete – at 63 years.
A few weeks ago, the native Kaiserslauterer fulfilled a lifelong dream. One who drove him across his borders: marathon of the Sable in Morocco. 250 kilometers in seven days. The finishers can call themselves “legends”.
At the start every morning the ACDC hit sounds “Highway to Hell”-it is a real hell ride. The longest stage is 82.5 kilometers, more than 16 hours needed remark. A sandstorm and gastrointestinal complaints robbed him of the last strength.
“One speaks of the toughest Foot Race on Earth,” explains the long-time Bundesliga referee. “I lost six kilos in six days. In terms of running, it gets less every day, at some point.”
The planning of the equipment – five kilos of food alone drag the trailers of the trail run, water and tents are set – a challenge is itself. “I even sawed off my toothbrush style to save a few grams of luggage.” Much later, Merk feels deepest gratitude and humility. “They are moments for eternity.”
The three -time world referee of the year is relaxed at the cappuccino with his wife Sabine at home when he tells of his tours. The two created their personal idyll from a court in the Palatinate Edelweindorf Weisenheim on the mountain – with a lot of sweaty self -work. The view goes over the Rhine plain to Heidelberg. “Sea view,” says Merk and smiles: “Reberei.”
On this day there is only a so -called “yogal run” for the two, as they ironically say: eight kilometers through the idyllic landscape. The vast majority of mountain tours and competitions-like the recently the Rome marathon-deny them together. Her motto hangs as a saying on the kitchen wall: “Life takes place today.”
Merk has already contested an ultra-trail in Thailand, was on skis at an expedition at the North Pole, climbed six- and seven thousands in the Andes and in the Himalaya, was part of 280 kilometers and three times during the legendary Wasa run on cross-country ski.
In June the Tour Bodensee – Nebelhorn is coming up, one up and down over 83 kilometers. Merk ran his first marathon at 15. “When I was out of the kettle on Saturdays, I needed the forest on Sunday morning,” says the former FIFA-Universeician, who also whistled at two World and European Championships.
“Markus was a role model for me with regard to his fitness. At his active times, I couldn’t believe how many extreme sports activities he did besides his missions,” says his ex-colleague Felix Brych, who has just ended his referee career. “Sometimes you could almost believe that two hearts beat in his chest.”
Of course, Merk now takes a little slower at over 60, but he never loses sight of the goal. Like his 52 -year -old woman. “It is fantastic to share this passion. Others stop in a golf hotel,” he says. The two are always in constant training.