The largest ever duathlon in Poland „Be the first on the motorway” is behind us

The A2 motorway near the place of Trzciel, on the border of the Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie provinces, has been a special place today. Almost three months before the official opening of the motorway to traffic, the motorway was dominated by athletes – cyclists and runners

They were the first users of the modern concrete motorways that will connect Poland to the European motorway network. We witnessed a one-off and unique, largest ever in Poland, sports event that took place on the motorway under construction, the A2 Duathlon, under the banner “BE THE FIRST ON THE MOTORWAY”.

At noon sharp, over 300 participants, either individually or in relay teams, started the race.  In great weather and applauded by crowds of supporting families, friends and sports fans, the participants first ran 4 km in the Poznań direction, cycled 14 km in the Berlin direction and then ran 2 km in the Poznań direction.

The competitors were not just amateurs but also professionals who score highest in Polish triathlon competitions, the discipline where duathlon takes its origin from. The event was led by a two-time 1990 triathlon winner, Jerzy Górski.

Filip Przymusiński, of Triathlon Poznań Sport Club, was the winner among individual males with 37 minutes 59 seconds. Izabela Furtak, of GTT Diament GOSiR Gniezno, 46 min 13 seconds, triumphed among individual female competitors.

All participants were decorated with commemorative medals, and other prizes included sports shops vouchers that were distributed by lot among the competitors.

– We were amazed that so many people were interested in the Duathlon. Two weeks before the event we closed the list of participants, since the maximum number of people registered. We are so glad that we could present the benefits of the new concrete pavement so long before the motorway was opened, promoting also a healthy life style, in such unusual and joyful way.

– There are only 10 km left before we can say that the pavement is finished, and by mid September the carriageway will be finished along the entire 100 km section.  This was the only opportunity to open the motorway to runners and cyclists. From December 1 we would not be able to invite athletes  to the motorway, as from this day onwards regular motorway traffic will take place and all drivers will be able to move along the motorway, freely and safely, from Poznań to the German border, and then further, he adds.

The Duathlon is organised and inspired by the A2, the main contractor of the A2Strada Motorway to Świecko, in cooperation with Strabag, Autostrada Wielkopolska II S.A. as Project Investor and Autostrada Eksploatacja SA, the Operating Company.