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Unique world record attempt at DEKRA Lausitzring in June

International triathlon quartet aiming for historical milestone achievement

May 12, 2022

The DEKRA Lausitzring will be the site of a unique world record attempt on Whitsun weekend. A four-strong team of world class triathletes will try to break the barrier for the ironman distance: under eight hours for women, under seven hours for men – for a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run. The worldwide search for the ideal conditions for the world record attempt led the organizers, among them two-time ironman world champion Chris McCormack from Australia, to the DEKRA Lausitzring in Klettwitz, Germany.

  • Ambitious goal: Ironman distance in under 8 and under 7 hours
  • Spirig, Matthews, Brownlee, and Blummenfelt to start
  • Worldwide search for ideal conditions led to Klettwitz, Germany
Nicola Spirig (Switzerland), Katrina Matthews (United Kingdom), Kristian Blummenfelt (Norway) and Alistair Brownlee (United Kingdom) have achieved a total of four Olympic gold medals, three world championship titles and eleven European championship titles. So, it is the cream of the crop of international triathlon who are coming to Lusatia – and they have ambitious goals: The men would have to shave almost 28 minutes off the current world record, the women a little over 18 minutes.
“The DEKRA Lausitzring is designed for racing and speed, so it is the perfect location for us to attempt to break the mythical Sub7 and Sub8 barriers. Every element of the course needs to create optimal conditions for us to make gains”, says two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee. “You have to have control over the environment. So, for example, having a flat course is very important to achieve a fast time”, adds 2012 Olympic champion Nicola Spirig. Kristian Blummenfelt and Katrina Matthews are also full of praise for the conditions on site.
If the weather is fine, the decisive day will be Sunday, June 5, with the following Monday providing the alternative in case the weather forecast is better for that day. Swimming will take place in nearby Senftenberg lake, the test oval at DEKRA Lausitzring will be the stage while for cycling and running. “This is an extraordinary attempt that requires everything to go right for our athletes. Having raced all over the world for three decades I know how important optimal conditions are to fast racing. Our attempt is about two key elements: speed and time. DEKRA Lausitzring offers an unparalleled environment for our athletes to smash the barriers of human achievement and defy the impossible.”
Creating the best possible conditions for the international triathlon quartet is the job of Uwe Burckhardt, Head of Test and Event at DEKRA Lausitzring, and his team: “We are pleased and proud that our tracks provide the basis for this world record attempt”, says Burckhardt. “We are doing everything we can contribute to making the effort a success – and we are keeping our fingers crossed.”
The world record attempt will be streamed live on www​.sub7sub8​.com . The athletes also appreciate support on the ground. Admission is free – however ticket numbers are limited. For free tickets visit www​.sub7sub8​.com/tickets .
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