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Symonds and Owens win the 5th GORE-TEX Transalpine-Run in a new record time

12.09.2009

The two British racers Andrew Symonds and Tom Owens of Team 'Saab Salomon Outdoor' won today's last stage of the GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run 2009 from Schlanders to Latsch, Italy. As if victory wasn't enough, they also set a new record on the 28.62 kilometer-long course in the mind-boggling time of 02:46:51.8 hours. The 'British Blitz' team also managed to beat the overall record for the entire course of almost 240 kilometers distance and a vertical gain of roughly 15,000 meters. In total, they spent 24:02:47.2 hours on the trails of the Western course through its eight stages.

Second place in the overall ranking went to Thomas Geisenberger and Michael Veit of 'Team Dr. Steinbauer' (03:02:26.8 hours; 25:57:59.4 hours) who came in fourth place. Third place in the overall ranking went to 'Telmekom Team Südtirol' (Michael Fischer and Roland Osele), who were deserving of finishing second in today's stage with a time of 03:01.27.5 hours (26:21:10.4 hours in total). Notable mentions are also Bruno Jost and Urs Jenzer of 'Pedal-Fast Switzerland' (03:02:26.8 hours) who jumped on the podium for the first time in third place today.

Symonds and Owens wrote history in the 5th GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run by beating all previously established stage records - despite ending up second once in the uphill sprint race. "We're pleased and very satisfied. It was a great week and a fabulous course" Tom Owens summarized at the finish in Latsch. Team partner Andrew Symonds added: "The course between the start in Oberstdorf right to the finish in Latsch was just brilliant. It was a marvelous week." The two 'über-runners' were quick to point out, however, that they had benefited from excellent trail and weather conditions. Owens noted that "these circumstances made it possible to deliver a consistent performance."

<b>'Team Dr. Steinbauer' surprised by own performance</b>

While the repute of Team ,Saab Salomon Outdoor' preceded them, it was two Germans who surprised themselves by delivering consistently excellent stage results, eventually placing them on the second highest spot of the podium. Thomas Geisenbacher and Michael Veit, "would have never believed to run so far ahead of the pack. But we really jived. That was key to our success." Veit, who crossed the finish line hand in hand with his race partner and their respective children, was stunned at his arrival: "I'm just speechless."

<b>'Team Latsch' cinches Women's title upon arrival in home province</b>

Today's stage and the race overall also went extremely well for a triumphant Irene Senfter, champion in 2006 and 2007, and her new running partner Petra Theiner. The two took only 03:33:39.2 hours to cross today's finish line thereby beating Senfter's previous record by 20 minutes. Still, the 38-year-old Senfter was "surprised that we kept running such fast times. But that was essential; otherwise victory wouldn't have been ours."

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