About the Ironman legacy program

In order to be allowed to take part in the Ironman in Hawaii, triathlete Rayk Schwenzer has to prove his suitability in twelve other competitions – “it’s all about getting through at all,” he says.

Rathenow. According to Rayk Schwenzer, the difference between a halfway normal year and a Corona year is exactly 38 kilometers. The calculation for this is simple: In the reasonably normal year 2019, he sat exactly 7145 kilometers in the saddle (around 237 hours), in the Corona year 2020 it was an impressive 7107 kilometers (around 238 hours) – although no competitions took place.

Born in Rathenower, he has big plans: Rayk Schwenzer wants to take part in at least 13 Ironmans, and the 13th should be the legendary competition in Hawaii. The 42-year-old is a hobby triathlete, someone who says about himself: “I need the Ironman!” Schwenzer has already completed seven such events, which are more torture than tour, seven times the combination of 3.8 kilometers of swimming , cycle 180 kilometers and jog 42.195 kilometers. “I’m fascinated by this iconic aspect that this long distance holds,” says Schwenzer. His big goal: to make it to the finish line in five more Ironman competitions – then he could take part in the world’s most legendary Ironman. “Hawaii, that’s my dream place,” he says.

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