The success story of a crazy idea
Since 2004, the World Class Marathon Challenge rolls through the Ortenau. Meanwhile, starting 2000 motivated amateur and professional mountain bikers in the city center of Offenburg and are cheered on by thousands of enthusiastic spectators along the route. The atmosphere is beautiful! During finish and at the awards ceremony in the city center shows and spectators celebrate. The participants are enthusiastic about the exciting atmosphere! Secret of success of the event: The first-class planning. Organizers, volunteers, firefighters, police and THW ensure, through perfect teamwork for a smooth flow. Within just 4 years, the organizers managed to reach the magic number of 2,000 participants. A review ...
2009
Excellent atmosphere at the 2009 World Class Marathon Challenge
The sixth World Class Marathon Challenge is over and in the end only one thing left to be said: The Challenge 2009 was a resounding success! The weather, the organization up to the mood - the better mountain bike event for everyone would not be able topass by. With a record crowd of around 25,000 and more than 2,000 enthusiastic drivers with a fantastic mountain getaway comes to an end.
The professionals of the supreme discipline offered an extremely exciting race this year. The best drivers on the 84 km this year came from Switzerland.
The world-class long distance specialists Urs Huber, Thomas Zahnd and Alexandre Moos, made the top three from among themselves. In the women dominated, as expected, the European marathon champion Esther Süss. With almost six minutes ahead of the Swiss won in front of her countrywoman Antonia Wipfli. Fabienne Heinzmann was third, also from Switzerland.
On the 63 kilometers round the German Marcel Reiser took the overall victory ahead of Stefan Knopf and Achim Matt. In the women's category Katrin Schwing won in front of Miriam Kettering and Susanne Forschner.
Dominik Bloesch won the Grand Prize of the Volksbank Offenburg over 48 km for the men. After only 1:45:47 hours in Offenburg he crossed the finish line in his hometown. He thereby securing the prize money of 300 euros. Second and third was Martin Siefermann Christian May. Stefanie Andris won the 48 km large price Volksbank Offenburg with the ladies, and thus the price money of 300 euros. Jasmin Kron was second and Daniela Maag third.
The 32 km was won by Udo Näger from Offenburg in front of Sebastian Gründel and Lukas Windeck. Nelly Erdrich won the womens race, second was Christina Näger and third Petra Fischer.
2008
Fifth edition is a great success
20,000 fans celebrated another victory of the Swiss Sandro Späth on Sunday. Mountain bikers from throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands came to the Ortenau to support friends, relatives and other athletes.
In the long race over 110 kilometers the Swiss Sandro Spaeth won after four hours and 17 minutes. At the highest point of the race (871 meter high Mooskopf) a five-man leading group consisting of the two Swiss Sandro Spaeth and Thomas Zahnd, the Dutchman Bekkenk Ramses, the German Markus Kaufmann, local hero and organizer Jörg Scheiderbauer settled from the field.
2007
A large smooth event
This year, organizers and helpers will benefit from experience gained in 2006 with the start/finish area in downtown Offenburg. Some initial problems of the past year are cleared away and the wholesale sporting event is completely without a hitch. Apart from some chain damages and abrasions and an accident of a motorcycle, everything runs perfectly. The scene in the city of Offenburg is again proving to be ideal, not only for the spectacular mass start of the event, but also for the entertaining program with a DJ and presenter.
In the male professionals the Swiss Sandro Spaeth (4:14:35 hours) won in front of his compatriots Thomas Stoll and Roman Peter. In the female professionals Anna Enocsson (5:11:45 hours) from Team GHOST International won the race. After Enoccson the German Adelheid Morath and Daniele Troesch finished.
2006
Showtime in the city
For the first time the marathon will be transferred from Rammersweier to the city of Offenburg. This change means a huge logistical challenge for the organizers. It is the use of whole hordes of assistants to coordinate. Over 60 THW helpers, more than 30 firefighters and 20 police forces are present only in the inner city of Offenburg, in order to ensure the 2,000 participants free ride. The atmosphere is great! For finishers and at the awards ceremony in the inner city the spectators provided a fanatastic atmosphere. All participants were enthusiastic.
2005
1.500 Competitors take the Challenge
In 2005 it was clear that the organisers had put a lot more work into making the Marathon one to remember. A fantastic course winding through the Black Forest and a Start-Package worth every cent inspired the competitors. A sprint-Finsh kept the spectators on the edge of their seats, with German rider Thomas Nicke taking the honors. Daniela Louis repeated her winning style and came in comfortably in front of GHOST rider Esther Süss.
2004
Premiere with perfect weather
On the 24th of April 2004 the race had began. Almost 1000 competitors took up the challenge, over three different courses, with a perfect 24 °C. The longest challenge with 93 km was won by the Austrian Alban Lakta with an amazing winning time of 3,5 hours. The Swiss rider Danieal Louis took out the Women´s race.
2003
Jörg Scheiderbauer had a vision, to organise an International Mountain Bike Race in Rammersweier, the base of Team GHOST International. The town Mayor Gerhard Hurst was immediately prepared to support this „crazy idea“. In September 2003 the newspapers reported that a huge Mountain Bike event was planned in 2004. The 24rd and 25th of April 2004 were the proposed dates for the premiere of the WORLDCLASS MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE. On the 24rd of April a Marathon and 25th of April an Olympic Cross Country race.