That’s how “Rock the Race” went and these are the best pictures

Experiencing one’s own limits, overcoming one’s weaker self and surpassing oneself, that was the credo of the participants of “Rock the Race” this year as well. For the seventh time – after a two-year Corona break – the cross-obstacle course took place on the Würzburg Mainwiesen on Sunday. 1200 participants fought their way through an adventurous obstacle course, which had been prepared for the runners in distances of three (children’s run), seven or 18 kilometers.

Most of the participants faced the 7-kilometer route, about 350 children took part and about 240 die-hards – including several women – ran the 18-kilometer climb to the fortress hill. The fastest time on the long distance was set by Christopher von Stelzer with 1:13:59, on the 7 kilometer distance Clemens Scherbel finished first after 36 minutes and seven seconds.

The starting gun was fired at the cattle market at the Talavera Bridge. The route then led 3.5 kilometers along the Main and back again. The runners had to jump through car tires, climb walls and wooden structures, crawl under barbed wire and swim through the harbor basin of the fire brigade academy.

The biggest challenge for everyone, however, was the new halfpipe, says head organizer Jürgen Schweighöfer, who was there for the first time “to see how it is”. Movement, fun and team spirit are the focus of the obstacle course, with the latter being particularly important on the halfpipe. “It was great to see everyone helping each other to get through it,” said Schweighöfer. He was also happy that everyone had crossed the finish line almost unhurt. “Apart from minor abrasions, no incident was reported to us by the Maltese.”

Soaking wet at the finish line

Shortly before the end, a three meter high fun slide into a cooling pool awaited the participants for refreshment before the runners crossed the finish line soaking wet. After returning to the cattle market, the die-hards of the 18-kilometre run had to complete a loop with a 300-metre climb up to the fortress before they too were allowed to plunge into the cool water.

The runners were cheered on by family and friends along the course near the river. Many passing cyclists also dismounted to catch the sight of athletes crawling in the mud.

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