GNS employee becomes European triathlon champion

As 35th in the overall field including professionals, Jan Seewald from Essen completed the Ironman distance of the "Challenge Roth" in the German triathlon mecca south of Nuremberg in 8:29:25 hours. Not only did he achieve a time that can be compared to the pros, but he also became European Champion of the European Triathlon Union (ETU) in the age group 35 and Vice German Champion of the German Triathlon Union (DTU) in the same age group. In contrast to most of the participants who finished ahead of him, Seewald is not a triathlon professional, but a full-time employee of GNS in the area of plant technology and equipment. Seewald started in the jersey of the German Amateur National Team, for which he was nominated by the DTU - and perhaps the "GNS wheels" also contributed to his success.

A total of 1500 men and women competed in the "Challenge Roth 20221", plus 300 relay teams. The Franconian long-distance triathlon is one of the most traditional and best-attended triathlon events in all of Europe. After a break in 2020 due to the pandemic, the competition could be held again this year with a smaller starting field and under considerable safety precautions.