The first Powerman Austria took place in 1995, and in 2002 hosted the World Championships. This year's race takes place this weekend with over 900 competitors expected. The following is from the race organization.

Intersport Eybl Powerman Austria in Weyer reaches its teens this year. The Duathlon event staged on September 4^th stepped onto the Powerman World Series back in 1995 and enjoyed a successful decade of multi-sports ever since then. Some of the very best athletes in Duathlon by both men and women contested the demanding and hilly course over the distances 14 km run / 76 km bike / 7 km run in the scenic National park region “Ennstal”: Michael Tobin from the USA was the winner in 1995 and 1996. Olivier Bernhard (SUI) and Erika Csomor (HUN) both matched this feat of taking two triumphs at Powerman Austria. The ever astonishing Benny Vansteelant (BEL) inspired the crowd with success in 2001. The most memorable days in the history of Powerman Austria so far came undoubtedly in 2002 when the ITU Duathlon Long Distance World Championships were staged in Weyer. Huub Maas (NED) and Karin Thürig (SUI), who later would become an Olympic Medallist in Cycling, took the honours of beating a truly world class field.

In 2000 and 2003, the organising team of Powerman Austria took a sabbatical years to refresh its powers. After the second break the “Eventzentrum Eisenwurzen” has been set up as a new organisational focal point in the region to guarantee the permanence of Powerman Austria.

The 2005 edition of Austria's largest Duathlon event, which includes National Championships in Long Distance Duathlon, will feature some 900 athletes from 20 countries taking part in various events on September 3 & 4. A thrilling competition can be expected in the women's division. Ulrike Schwalbe (GER), who enjoyed a stellar season this year, has entered the race. As Duathlon World Champion 2004 and European Champion 2005 she will be definitely the one to watch in Weyer. Nicole Klingler (LIE), leading female athlete in the Powerman World ranking, knows the course from last year when she placed second behind Erika Csomor - and Klingler will certainly want to go one place better this time. However, Tamara Kozulina (UKR) may provide a strong challenge, as will Anne Marie Dupont (BEL), who has a third place at Powerman Geel to her credit. As for the men, there are athletes like Sergio Rodriguez Vicente (ESP), surprise winner at the European Championships and second at the World Championships 2004 in Frederica, Jason Sponge (RSA), who placed third at Powerman Malaysia 2004, Andy Sutz and Florian Wagner from Switzerland or Abdullah Sharom from Kuala Lumpur in the race. Probably for the first time ever in the Powerman World Series, a group of athletes from Mongolia will take part in the event.

The organising team of SIG Eisenwurzen is thriving to stage a memorable Powerman Austria. One can expect a tough course, a warm and friendly reception and a great atmosphere throughout the weekend as past editions of the event have shown.

Look out for more detailed information on the Website www.powerman.at