Pozna? is building its role as the capital of Polish triathlon – and an increasingly important hub for triathlon in Europe overall. The capital of Wielkopolska, or Greater Poland, is getting set to host some of Europe’s best triathletes. In 2016, the official ETU European Long Distance Championships will be held within one of the biggest triathlon events in Eastern Europe – the recently re-branded Challenge Pozna?.
(The strong relationship between the European Triathlon Union (ETU) and Challenge Family is being bolstered in 2015. As, this year, Challenge Family is hosting the 2015 ETU Long Distance Championships at Challenge Weymouth on 13 September.)
“It was in Pozna? where over 30 years ago the first Polish triathlon competitions were held on Kierskie Lake; and now we will be the first Polish city which organizes such an important international event,” said Ewa B?k, Director of the Sport Department of the City of Pozna?.
“We are ready to welcome the best triathletes of the Old Continent. Our long experience in the organization of prestigious events such as EURO 2012, EuroBasket 2009, the Canoe World Championships and World Rowing Championships make us fully prepared for another championship event, like no other Polish city.”
She added, “I am convinced that July 24, 2016 will be a sport festival in Pozna?, as well as in the whole of Poland.”
“We have been following what is happening in Pozna? since 2013,” said Zibi Szlufcik, CEO of Challenge Family. “Each event was even bigger and even better organized than the last. There couldn’t be a better decision than to start working with the best triathlon competitions in Eastern Europe. This year’s Enea Challenge Pozna? will be one of the biggest European events and it is only a taster of the triathlon festival which will take place around the ETU Championships at Challenge Pozna? in 2016.”
Over 3,900 competitors from over 30 countries (including as far afield as the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, USA and Spain) have already registered for this year’s Enea Challenge Pozna?. However, according to the organizers, the scale of next year’s European Long Distance Championships will be incomparably greater.
6,000 competitors are expected take part in the Pozna? competitions in 2016, including some of Europe’s best triathletes.
Wojciech Kruczy?ski, president of Endu Sport, which has been involved in the organization of the Poznan event since 2013, is enthusiastic. “In 2016 we will host the competitions which have never taken place in this part of Europe. On the one hand it is a great honour for us, on the other hand it’s a huge responsibility we have to cope with.
“Nevertheless, I am confident about the organisational level of the ETU European Championships. We have a vast experience in organising various triathlon events. Over 15,000 competitors will take part in this year’s Enea Tri Tour with the support of over 50,000 fans. These figures show that we are prepared for the arrival of the best triathletes of the Old Continent,” he said.
On 24 July 2016 competitors fighting for the European Championship title will cover the distance of 3.8K in the Malta Lake, then 180K of the fast cycling route running through city streets and the main national road (No. 92) to Kostrzyn. The final stage will be the marathon run. Triathletes will race on picturesque streets of the Old Town, crossing the Old Market, as well as on bridges just below the Pozna? Cathedral and the sidewalk around the Malta Lake before the finish line located on Plac Wolno?ci.
The organizers add that the ETU European Championships at Challenge Pozna? may go down in history as one of the most exciting because of the very fast routes.
“We have in Pozna? perfect conditions for all the triathletes that love speed. Flat, broad courses will make the rivalry for a best European triathlete title. [This] will be very exciting to the last meters,” said Wojciech Kruczy?ski.
