IRONMAN Regensburg, August 1, 2010

Press release: IRONMAN Regensburg

On August 1, 2010, the city of Regensburg will host the inaugural IRONMAN Regensburg. Only 4 months after opening registration, over 2,000 athletes from 54 countries have entered the race to tackle the race distance of 3.8 k swim, 180 k bike and 42.2 k run. After the IRONMAN European Championship in Frankfurt and IRONMAN Germany 70.3 in Wiesbaden, IRONMAN Regensburg is now the third IRONMAN event in Germany.

At IRONMAN Regensburg a total of 50 slots will be awarded for the IRONMAN World Championship on Hawaii, for age-group and pro athletes. The majority of registered athletes hail from Bavaria and the neighbouring states, but there are also athletes to be found on the start list from countries such as India, New Zealand, Guatemala and the Cayman Islands.
With Faris Al-Sultan ( Munich), IRONMAN world champion 2005, an absolute top athlete will lead the pro men’s field into the race. In the women’s race, local here Sonja Tajsich is sure to make things exciting.

The starting signal will go off on August 1 at the lake Guggenberger See / Stadt Neutraubling, when the athletes start their day with a 3.8 k swim. The following bike course leads the athletes on a 2-loop course through the county Regensburg, before they change onto the run course in the city of Regensburg for the concluding marathon. Downtown Regensburg, with the finish line at the world famous “Stadtamhof”, offers an impressive backdrop and absolute IRONMAN feeling for athletes and spectators alike.

Lord Mayor Hans Schaidinger (City of Regensburg) comments on this major sports event: “The IRONMAN Regensburg is one of the highlights in our event calendar 2010.We are very proud of the fact that the race was sold out within just a few months. This proves how attractive our region and the city of Regensburg is. We consider it an obligation to present the athletes and their guests from all over the world with an outstanding event, providing a framework for the event on a high level for the following years also.”

District Administrator Herbert Mirbeth ( County Regensburg): “The IRONMAN is a major event for the entire region, supported by the county and also by hundreds of volunteers from the county Regensburg. We, the county Regensburg, provide the largest part of the race course with the swim and bike courses. The athletes can expect a race in the varied and attractive landscape of the Regensburger region.”

Mayor Heinz Kiechle (City of Neutraubling): „We are very pleased that our citizens can enjoy such a major sports event right at their front door. At the same time we can present our city of Neutraubling with the recreational area of the Guggenberger See to an international audience. This is a great chance for the complete region.”

Kai Walter (race director of IRONMAN Regensburg and Managing Director of the organizer Xdream Sports & Events GmbH): „ Regensburg, in combination with the county Regensburg and the city of Neutraubling, offers ideal conditions for organizing IRONMAN Regensburg and embedding it into the region. We consider the great response from the athletes and the sold-out race not only as confirmation of our previous work. It is also a challenge to organize IRONMAN Regensburg in the best possible way.”

IRONMAN Regensburg, August 1, 2010

Registration for IRONMAN Regensburg closed

Due to the great interest in the race and the high number of entries during the holidays the registration for IRONMAN Regensburg is closed.

IRONMAN Regensburg, August 1, 2010

Sonja Tajsich to race at IRONMAN Regensburg

The organizer is pleased to be able to announce another pro athlete for IRONMAN Regensburg, Besides IRONMAN world champion Faris A-Sultan ( Munich), local hero Sonja Tajsich will race at the inaugural IRONMAN Regensburg on August 1, 2010.

Sonja has several successes under her belt: a win at IRONMAN Malaysia (2006), runner-up finishes at IRONMAN Austria and IRONMAN South Africa (2009) and a great 14 th place at the IRONMAN World Championship 2009. With a personal best of 08:59 on the IRONMAN distance, Sonja will have a word or two to say when it comes to the podium places.

Kai Walter (managing director of the organizer Xdream Sports & Events GmbH): “Sonja is a strong athlete with a great personality and we are very happy that she decided to race in our event. She is sure to raise the tension in the women’s race.”

The organizer of IRONMAN Regensburg is happy to announce the first top athlete for the inaugural race on August 1, 2010. Faris Al-Sultan, IRONMAN world champion 2005, currently living in Munich and Al-Ain (United Arabic Emirates) is one of the best athletes on the IRONMAN circuit. He is sure to turn the heat on in the race, especially on the bike course with the steep ascents in the nature park “Bayerischer Wald”.

Kurt Denk and Kai Walter (managing directors Xdream) are very pleased to be able to announce the start of this top athlete and Bavarian local hero: “Faris Al-Sultan was our absolute top athlete of choice for Regensburg.”

November 6, 2009 ( Tampa, Fla.) – To complement its recent Anti-Doping initiative announcement, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) has created the Ironman Pro Membership Program. In an effort to standardize and enhance WTC’s events worldwide, acceptance into the program will be mandatory for all professional athletes competing in future Ironman and 70.3 Events. The program will officially begin on February 1, 2010. WTC will collaborate with national triathlon federations to build upon this new program.

“The launch of the Ironman Pro Membership Program on the heels of WTC’s Anti-Doping initiative is another significant step toward the standardization of Ironman events around the globe.  This program addresses many of the issues facing pro athletes, such as prize money, qualifying slots and size and quality of the field. The ongoing input and support from race directors is a testament to the importance of further establishing consistency in these areas,” says Heather Fuhr, WTC Pro Liaison and 15-time Ironman Champion.

An annual membership fee of $750.00 USD includes complimentary entry into all Ironman and 70.3 qualifying events worldwide within the calendar year and inclusion in WTC’s Anti-Doping initiative. Online registration for the Ironman Pro Membership Program will begin on November 9, 2009 through Active.com.

Ford Ironman World Champions, Craig Alexander and Michellie Jones, both had comments about the announcement:

• “The new program created by WTC provides professional athletes with a platform, as well as a variety of advantages that not only benefit us, but also the sport as a whole.  I am excited for the new initiatives being driven by Ironman, as they will ensure we are all participating among a clean and level playing field.” -- Michellie Jones
   
• “The Ironman Pro Membership Program is good for the athletes and good for our sport. The implementation of its Anti-Doping initiative is long overdue and hopefully will ensure a fairer sport." -- Craig Alexander

Further program details and deadlines for event-related registration can be located by visiting http://www.ironmancenter.com/pros .

Blair@ironman.com

Venue and Race Course description

Regensburg is one of the oldest cities of Bavaria, first mentioned around 179 AD, and long-time place of activity of current pope Bendict XVI. The city on the banks of the river Danube is known not only for its numerous historical buildings in the city center, which are World Heritage Site, but also for its university and three colleges. With a population of 133.000, Regensburg is the fifth largest city in Bavaria.

The swim course (3.8 k) of IRONMAN Regensburg is in the lake “Guggenberger See”, located in an attractive recreation area of the city Neutraubling, just 12 k southeast of Regensburg. Here the international competitor field will face the first part of a long and challenging day. When the starting signal goes off at 7 a. m. in the morning, the athletes will transform the calm lake into whitewater within seconds.

The bike course (180 k), a 2-loop-course with impressive ascents, leads through the nature park “Naturpark Bayerischer Wald”, in the northeast of Regensburg. It passes the famous monument “Walhalla” and takes the athletes through the selective and attractive area south of the river Danube. The challenging bike course with 1.500 meters altitude difference is sure to be remembered not only for the beautiful landscape.