We are where it all began. On July 14, 1984, over a hundred brave souls plunged into Lake Kierskie to kick off the competition in the first triathlon event in Poland. 40 years later, this place is once again alive with triathlon, as it hosts the swimming stage during Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań!
Michał Drelich, Director of IRONMAN Poland
As part of the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Polish triathlon, during the Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań weekend (August 30th - September 1st), meetings with the legends of this discipline in our country are planned. It is possible that some participants of the memorable triathlon in Kiekrz from 1984 will also be seen on the course of the Poznań competition as participants in the relay race. A place in such a team will be available for auction, and the amount raised will be donated to charitable purposes.
The event organizers also plan to regularly commemorate the most important figures and events in Polish triathlon from the last four decades. To start with, a special video has been created with numerous archival materials, featuring the voices of the pioneers of this discipline in our country, who remember the first competition from 1984.
In the video, Jerzy Górski, a world champion in the IRONMAN double-distance and a living legend of Polish triathlon, shares his first experiences and anecdotes related to participating in triathlons.
Someone said the water was 14 degrees. Someone else went in and said no way, it's colder. Finally, someone shouts: "And what the hell does it matter!? We're going in anyway!"
Jerzy Górski
Ela Krakowiak, the first Polish woman to complete an IRONMAN race, also recalls how training and preparations for triathlons used to be.
Back then, it was like guerrilla warfare. We didn't have coaches. Everyone knew something about a particular discipline. I knew something about swimming, someone else about cycling or running training, and we tried to combine it all.
Ela Krakowiak
Jerzy Bednarz, who organized the first competitions in Kiekrz near Poznań, also offers his perspective on Polish triathlon from the 40 years of its existence.
It's just good that we've become a normal country and we also have what others have. And they have fun, so do we!
Jerzy Bednarz
Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań along with accompanying events will take place from August 30th to September 1st. The program includes competitions in the IRONMAN 70.3 and Olympic distances, as well as accompanying events such as Pho3nix IRONKIDS Poznań, Swim Series Poland by AQUA SPEED, and Night Run Poznań, a 5 km night race.
