German Pro, Till Schramm, to donate R25 000 to SA Triathlon Development

Top German pro triathlete, Till Schramm, is heading to Port Elizabeth, SA, to take on the world’s toughest sportsmen in the Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship -- and to donate
R25 000 to triathlon development in SA.

Schramm is sponsored by Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo which is donating R25 000 (R1 000 per development team member) to the South African Triathlon Development programme. In addition, he has entered IRONMAN on March 29 on a charity ticket which includes a donation of R13 000 to the IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Charity Trust that assists destitute children.

Schramm will hand over the R25 000 donation in PE on March 25, and will host a short training run
with some development athletes afterwards. He will visit the Khayalethu Children’s Home -- which
will benefit from his charity entry – on Thursday 26 March.

“Contributing in this way is important for me and Alpecin because we believe in giving back to the sport and society where we are able to,” said Schramm.

Paul Wolff, South African Triathlon Development Manager and IRONMAN 4 the Kidz Trustee said: “We see IRONMAN as so much more than just a race. It’s an example of overcoming odds and offers a positive message not only to athletes but also the communities that the event touches.  It is encouraging to see professional athletes giving something back to the sport by playing an active role in its development as well as supporting worthy initiatives.”

Schramm, 29, from Cologne, Germany, is based in Dubai and, come March 29, faces stiff competition from around 70 other pros in his debut Standard Bank IRONMAN African Championship. He will be among a field of 2 100 of the world’s toughest, vying for a total prize purse of US$150 000 and world championship qualifying points.

Pressed on his race goal, Schramm says: “I hate the pressure that goes with predictions, but my aim is a top five finish.”

Schramm is in good shape, having notched up several podium finishes recently. “I finished second in the Dubai International in November 2014, achieving the fastest run-split behind Slovenia’s David Plese. Since then I have won a few smaller races this year and feel ready for Africa."