The conditions for the 13th Main-Post-Mainfrankentriathlon in Kitzingen were ideal: the weather gods had mercy and the temperatures were only around 26 degrees after the extremely hot days. Numerous spectators stood at the bank and on the Old Main Bridge to first cheer on the swimmers. In addition, the samba group Osenga from Würzburg heated up the audience with South American rhythms.
Various disciplines could be registered, such as the Olympic distance (short distance) and the sprint distance. More than 550 participants registered for the individual or relay classification, and in the end they all reached the finish line – without failures or accidents.
Dieter Göpfert, the main organiser, was beaming as the participants competed. Gerd Rucker, President of the Bavarian Triathlon Association, was also satisfied with the Bavarian championships at Olympic level. They took place this year as part of the Mainfrankentriathlon in Kitzingen. All age groups from 18 to 80 could start.
Popular sport with broad support
“We are happy that after two years we have events all over Bavaria again with reasonable starting fields,” said Rucker. What makes this sports festival particularly exciting is the fact that state league teams took part. He was very happy about the competition and, together with Dieter Göpfert, emphasized the outstanding role of the helpers, who make such a big event possible in the first place and guarantee that everything runs smoothly.
The volunteer fire brigades from the area, the police, the Kitzingen and Ochsenfurt building yard, the water rescue service and the Bavarian Red Cross, the city of Kitzingen, the Kitzingen gymnastics community and Bäcker Will, to name just a few, had done a great job. And when the last finisher crossed the finish line at 5:00 p.m., they could all be proud of having given so many people a successful afternoon once again.
Speed, speed, speed: in the water, on the bike, on foot
DJ Peter Kern from the TGK running team heated up the participants and the audience with suitable songs. The moderators Jonas Wirth and André Kessler led through the program wittily and with charm. Hofrat Walther Vierrether awarded the medals to seven wine sovereigns.
There were also fan groups among the spectators, such as the 15 students who encouraged Simon Schomburg, a medical student from Erlangen.
Some participants had formed a relay in the company, like Gerd Höhne from Rothenburg ob der Tauber: the designer swam, the boss rode a bicycle and the foreman ran the course.
They ended up at the top of the podium. But in the end everyone had fun. No question: Organizer Dieter Göpfert is already planning for next year.
Irene Fenger, on the other hand, was part of a family relay. She hadn’t swum for 27 years, having started training four weeks earlier. Breathless, but overjoyed that she had done her part well.
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