On Monday we feature the World's 10 Interesting & Unusual Triathlons:
Our goal is to travel the world with you in search of the most unusual, fun, and interesting races from Peoria to Peking.
Today we travel to Frankfurt for what is probably the most popular Ironman race in the world---at least judged by the sheer number of spectators.
The European Ironman World Championships are held every year in Frankfurt Germany, and an estimated half a million people pack the streets of Germany's business center to watch Ironman Germany.
But you don't have fight the crowds. Just click on the video below to get a feel this year's exciting race.
But before we take you to this historic race, it is our great introduce our newest partner: Ken Glah's Endurance Sports Travel.
Our feature World's 10 most Interesting & Unusual races---Triathlon is presented by Endurance Sports Travel who not only offer a great and affordable travel experience for Ironman races around the world, but they still also have slots to this sold out race.
For
years, Germany has been home to one of the most successful Ironman
events on the global qualifying calendar. The 2002 debut of Ironman
Germany in its new home of Frankfurt was a smashing, sold-out success,
and set the stage for even more impressive events in years to come.
This thriving metropolis is considered one of the top financial centers
in Europe. It not only offers a scenic and culturally rich venue, but
boasts the full support of the Minister of the Interior, and Lord Mayor
and the German Triathlon Union. Many special events are planned
throughout race week.
The 3.8 kilometer (2.4 mile) swim at the
Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship is a two loop
affair in the Langenaar Waldsee, a lake about 12 kilometers from the
race centre in Frankfurt.
The bike course is both fast, and
technical. After riding out of T1 at Langener Waldsee, the athletes do
about a 12km ride into Frankfurt where the start the rest of the
course, which is made up of two loops.
The run course in
Frankfurt consists of three 14km laps. The course is made up of a
series of out-and-back sections on either side of the River Main. The
course looks like it should be fast -- it's very flat. It’s tough to
post a fast time here, though, because there are a number of turns --
both 180 degree turns at each of the four turnaround points, and the
tricky roundabouts to negotiate over the bridge that the runners
negotiate a couple of times each lap.
Race Report of Lisa Bentley (2006 winner)
"Ironman Germany – well – what can I say – when the Germans do something, they do it right. What was so right? Was it the plastic tents that volunteers draped over every single bike checked in on the afternoon prior to the race? Was it the fact that the entire bike course was closed to traffic – a bike course that went through the major city of Frankfurt? Was it the fact that the finishing area was lined with the biggest stands and the most people I have ever seen?
Was it the fact that after finishing the race, I was presented with my trophy atop a balcony of a building constructed in 1405 overlooking thousands of spectators – a balcony frequented by royalty – but today, a balcony which welcomed a sweaty little Canadian in a swimsuit? No, I think the real convincing fact that the Germans know how to “do” Ironman was when as a foreigner, I was cheered on, by name, by the thousands of people lining every inch of the marathon – cheered on to overtake a German woman.
I suppose I should call it the hospitality of sport – and yes, the Germans did it brilliantly. It was easy for me to embrace Ironman Germany and celebrate my 9th Ironman victory because a smile is the universal language. I saw smiles and I gave smiles and I was smiling large as I crossed the line in 9 hours and 15 minutes.
You can read the rest of the report HERE.
* Click HERE to explore and travel to the rest of the World's 10 most Interesting & Unusual races.
