Last week was all about the largest triathlon in the world, the Challenge Roth near Nuremberg.
Although I've started here four times myself, the atmosphere is special every time. Even if you're only out and about as a spectator and supervisor, you can put yourself in the athletes' shoes when it's very early in the morning in the direction of the canal for the swim start. The excitement and anticipation is palpable everywhere.
This year it was again a great race and up to 300,000 spectators are said to have been at the route. Compared to the previous year, there was a lot more going on in the run-up to the trade fair. On the day of the race itself, I closed the booth and looked after my athletes, of course. I'm really proud of every single one and try to cheer and motivate everywhere on the track.
This time my wife Julia was there too. She has been loyal to triathlon for a long time, but so far only over the short distances. After completing her first middle distance a few weeks ago in Ingolstadt, this time it was time for the big final, the long distance. It went really well from start to finish. It never hit a low point and it almost effortlessly undercut our goals that we had set beforehand. After the finish line, an absolutely sensational debut of 9:26 hours was in the books.
Sunny greetings to all starters, have a good rest!
Michael