DATEV eG, one of Europe’s largest software and IT companies, is on board as the new the title sponsor for the world’s largest long distance triathlon, DATEV Challenge Roth. The sponsorship deal runs through to the end of 2013 with a further option to extend thereafter.
Challenge Roth in Germany, the flagship event of international race organiser the Challenge Family, sold out in record time for 2013. When entries for the 12th Challenge Roth, held on 14 July 2013, went on sale on 16 July 2012 at 10.00 CET, the demand for tickets was considerable. 650 relay team slots sold out in 29 minutes, 1,500 international slots sold out in 75 minutes and the slots for German nationals sold out in 53 minutes. So, once again, the race was fully booked within a single day.
From first to second date
The date for the 2014 DATEV Challenge Roth has now also been fixed. The 13th outing for the event takes place on 20 July 2014. The race has been re-scheduled by one week to the third weekend in July, so as not to clash with the FIFA World Cup in July 2014.
Specialising in tax accountancy solutions and based in Nuremberg, DATEV’s sponsorship marks the start of a new era in the event’s 12-year history. As noted by the event organisers, it will help support the goals and dreams of over 5,000 long distance triathletes.
DATEV is Germany’s fourth largest software business. Claus Fesel, DATEV Marketing and Communications Manager, said that a sharing of common values made the sponsorship a perfect fit.
“In our talks with TEAMCHALLENGE we became convinced that the organizers represent a philosophy that we share as well: TEAMCHALLENGE are committed to community, perspectives for the future of our region and the society, and health. These are also basic elements of our own image as a co-operative,” he explained.
In times when work life and private life intertwine more and more, balancing all elements become increasingly important. DATEV notes that triathlon combines diversity and a community experience, with improved physical fitness, co-ordination as well as mental benefits. In view of these factors, triathlon is seen as an attractive sport for the business community, freelancers and entrepreneurs, who are also among the members of the DATEV organisation and its customers.
“Together with the organizers of the triathlon event, we take a symbolic stand for the fact that a healthy work-life balance and sporting activity are becoming more and more important for our society,” said Fesel. “Thus, we keep our 40,000 members as well as our more than 6,300 employees in view.”
Felix Walchshöfer, CEO of TEAMCHALLENGEGmbH and organizer of Challenge Roth, believes the co-operation with DATEV secures a great future for the event.
“We are delighted to welcome DATEV who will accompany us at least for the next three years, with an option to extend the co-operation. The DATEV co-operative is Germany’s fourth largest software businesses with more than 40,000 members, so it is a highly serious company with an excellent reputation. We are looking forward to shaping the future of Challenge Roth and the sport of triathlon in Germany together with DATEV.”
Walchshöfer added, ”Of course, our two companies belong to different lines of business and thus have different core competencies, but among other things, we are going to co-operate in developing practical concepts in the fields of health and work-life balance, which will be for the benefit of DATEV members as well as our athletes.
“We are extremely happy to see that the big DATEV family has now also become part of the world-wide Challenge Family. Today is the beginning of a new and exciting era in Challenge history.”
TEAMCHALLENGE GmbH is the organizer of Challenge Roth. With an estimated 200,000 spectators expected along the race course, and more than 5,000 participants from more than 60 nations around the world, DATEV Challenge Roth will take place for the first time under the new name on 14 July 2013. The competition in Roth is also the parent event of the ever growing Challenge Family, which currently includes a total of 18 triathlon competitions on four continents.
www.challenge-roth.com
www.Challenge-Family.com
www.datev.com
