Another Season for the German Blade Challenge

The biggest German race series is the 2008 German Blade Challenge (GBC), which now has thirteen races in its seventh season. Most of the races in this series are marathons or half-marathons and may include sprints and hills. The final team score can be supplemented by points for the team time trial.

The events run from April through September and include locations in Switzerland, even though the GBC is the national German race series. There were also requests to be included in the event locations from Denmark and Austria, so GBC officials are considering a small European test run in 2009.

About 30 international and regional teams are expected to participate in the GBC:

• 10 club racing teams
• 10 women's racing teams
• 10 men's racing teams

The event officials are working hard to coordinate a flexible schedule and avoid event conflicts with either the international racing calendar for international racing teams or the national racing calendar for regional teams. Their efforts are working so far. The first event, Wilhelmshaven Speed Days (April 12-13, 2008), has exceeded expectations and set a new record with 1,000 participants and 40 teams in 5 competitions.