22 and 23 June: Wels City Triathlon moves to the centre of the city this year

This year, the Wels town square will be the backdrop for spectacular scenes on June 22nd and 23rd: top athletes from Europe and all over the world will tap into their last reserves in the final meters before the finish at the town hall in order to achieve the best time. “With this event, we want to bring the sport of triathlon to the people,” says organizing director Thomas Alt from the Wels swimming club, “by having the finish on the town square, we have the best conditions.”

This year, the event is being held for the second time as an “Elite European Cup” race. Participants can not only collect points for the European Championship qualification, but also for the world rankings. This is why top athletes from the USA, Canada, Mauritius and Australia are also travelling to the event – entries from 36 nations have been received so far.

The remaining formats known from last year are also returning: the “Fun Race” for individuals, companies and clubs on Saturday as well as the Junior European Cup and the Open Race on Sunday. A total of 428 participants are registered. “We also have 55 entries in the elite women’s category this year, which is significantly more than last year. I am pleased that we can present a good field of starters,” says Alt.

Motivated with the professionals

The “Fun Race” is taking place for the second time this year – Thomas Bründl, managing director of the main sponsor starlim sterner, was there at the premiere last year: “The special thing about the City Triathlon is that you experience the professionals. That motivates you,” he says. The Fun Race can be tackled individually or in a relay.

This year, the race begins again on the floating jetty in the Traun. From there, the race goes 750 meters through the Traun. At the Old Traun Bridge, the participants get out of the water, make their way through Traungasse to the town square and switch to their bikes. The professionals pedal for 20 kilometers on Volksgartenstrasse and Traunuferstrasse, the amateurs for 8 kilometers.

Afterwards, it’s back to the town square, where the run begins: once around Pollheimer Park, via Freiung and Johannisgasse to Pfarrgasse and after a detour onto Adlerstraße to the finish at the town hall.

Replanning the route was very complex, says Alt: “But we work very well with the city council and the city marketing department,” he says. The audience will have a lot to offer in the finish area and along the route: live music, a food mile, an after-party and a children’s and family area will provide additional entertainment on the race weekend.

Thomas Windischbauer will be taking part in the elite race on June 22nd. The young Wels native will be competing as a local hero. “I have taken part in many competitions, but Wels is special – colleagues from other countries say the same. The organization and the environment really stand out in international comparison,” says the 21-year-old.

Further information and the opportunity to register can be found online at wels-triathlon.at