German broadcasting corporation Hessischer Rundfunk invites to a relay triathlon instead of the Ironman Frankfurt – Extraordinary kind of competition on Sunday
After weeks of training and waiting, the Raelert-Brothers will face a first kind of sports competition on Sunday. Even though competitions at an international level still cannot take place in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, Andreas Raelert is looking forward to participating in a relay triathlon on Sunday. "I am pleased that I can be part of this event," says Andreas Raelert, "of course health concerns and Covid-19 epidemic curtailment strategies are still top priority. But it is good to be able to make a commitment as an athlete that underlines the importance of sports for health and social life.”
After the Ironman in Frankfurt, which was scheduled for Sunday, had been cancelled, the German broadcasting corporation Hessischer Rundfunk created the idea of ??broadcasting a special kind of sports day in the Frankfurt region. Among other things, the idea of a relay triathlon was born. The course is based on the Ironman Frankfurt map and corresponds to a competition over the middle distance.
"It is still kind of an unreal idea to hear a starting signal on Sunday," says Andreas Raelert looking forward to the relay triathlon with three teams only on Sunday. "I can already feel a certain amount of tension and anticipation though."
Andreas Raelert will take over the swim part of the “Team Ironman” in the Lake Langener Waldsee near Frankfurt on Sunday. He will hit two laps of 900 meters each. After that, the winner of the Ironman Hawaii 2017 and 2018, Patrick Lange, will ride 80 kilometer on the bike. Anne Haug, the current Ironman Hawaii women’s champion, will finally compete as the team’s runner on a 20-kilometer course. The finish line will be at the Main river, very similar to the Ironman Frankfurt.
The team of Andreas Raelert, who won the 2010 Ironman European Championship Frankfurt, will face two other strong relay teams. On the one hand, there is the “Team of Legends”: Jan Sibbersen will take over the swim part, Max Levy will ride the bike and Nicole Leder hits the course as a runner. On the other hand, there is the “Team of Experts” consisting of swimmer Sarah Köhler, cyclist John Degenkolb and runner Gesa Felicitas Krause. "Only eight more competitors will take part," says Andreas Raelert, "but they are strong as a bear and certainly very well motivated." The relay triathlon will be part of a live broadcasting show hosted by the Hessischer Rundfunk from 11 am to 4.15 pm.