Markus Frisch doesn’t even bother with the platitude of the abundance of water that will still flow down the Rhine until September 5th. The managing director of Marathon GmbH is standing in the Rheinpark on the bank of the river, stones and shells crunching under his shoes.
It is precisely at this point that many athletes should leave the water on the first Sunday in September and rush to the transition area. The premiere of the Carglass Cologne Triathlon had to be postponed last year due to the corona pandemic. It is now planned for 2021 – provided the seven-day incidence in the city stays below the limit of 35.
Delta variant could still prevent triathlon
So far 1,400 athletes have registered for the triathlon, for the marathon organizers it is the premiere as a triathlon host. “We have a lot of conversations with the city, which is willing to implement the event in order to enable a bit of normality,” says Frisch. But nobody can predict with certainty how the delta variant of the virus will affect the infection process.
Popular sports events have been possible again since Cologne reached “Level 1” of the federal emergency brake a few weeks ago, which has now expired at the end of the month. Last weekend 112 runners started the TFG Nippes peace run on Jahnwiesen. “At the beginning of the month we only had 24 registrations and thought we had to cancel,” says Jürgen Cremer, board member in Nippes. Usually around 300 athletes register. “But company workforce and groups from fitness studios broke away from us this year,” Cremer regrets.
Hygiene rules also apply to the LSV Porz summer run
The summer run of the LSV Porz around Gut Leidenhausen is on the coming weekend, 500 people will take to the track there. “There are always 30 athletes allowed to stand in a starting block, the starts follow five minutes apart,” says organizer Helmut Urbach. The sale of coffee and cake for the club’s treasury is not permitted this year, and showers and changing tents are not allowed to be set up. “For hygienic reasons,” he says and laughs.
The Marathon Veranstaltungsungs- und Werbe GmbH is now the organizer of the three major popular sports events in Cologne – marathon, triathlon and the classic bike tour “Around Cologne”. As for the direction of the triathlon, Frisch is cautiously optimistic. “A triathlon is compact, because the audience’s interest is concentrated in the transition area and is easier to control than on a marathon course,” he says.
Only tested, recovered or vaccinated viewers allowed
The Generali Cologne Marathon is on October 3rd. Frisch does not want to make a forecast. In the spring, 5,000 athletes had already registered for marathons or half marathons. If you cancel, you will get your money back, minus a processing fee of 15 euros. “The question is whether the incidence is the right parameter. But others have to discuss that, ”says Frisch cautiously.
The dance fountain should become “the heart of the event” at the triathlon, and spectators should only be allowed access with a negative rapid test or proof of vaccination or surviving infection. The summer holidays begin next week, after which, according to Frisch, “a race against time” begins.
A race against the delta variant and the incidence number. “But we take place outside, that’s the big advantage. And the vaccination progress will hopefully play in our cards ”, he encourages. This year he just hopes the event can take place. Top triathletes will start next year.
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