Kurt Matzler: With extreme perseverance against paralysis!

Kurt Matzler: With extreme perseverance against paralysis!

Annapolis, USA - On June 7, 2025, Kurt Matzler, Management Professor from South Tyrol, starts in another adventure at Race Arenica (Raam) . This is an extremely demanding endurance bike race that leads over 4,828 kilometers and around 40,000 meters of altitude. The participants: On average, an average of about 500 kilometers and up to 4,000 meters of altitude must be covered per day. Solo drivers: Inside have up to 12 days to master the route non-stop. The route runs from Oceanside, California, to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and extends through twelve US states and four time zones.

The challenges of the race are considerable. So the athletes have to master extreme heat in the Mojave desert, steep climbs in the Rocky Mountains and sultry air in the Appalaches. On average, take only one to two hours of break a day, which leads to massive physical stress. These express themselves in sleep deprivation, hallucinations, disorientation and exhaustion. The mental challenges should also not be underestimated: loneliness, monotony, painful legs and the high food requirement of approx. 15,000 kcal per day are constant companions.

a team for a good cause

Matzler has contested the Raam five times and will start with an experienced team in 2025. Next to him are Ruth Brandstätter, Steve Schoonover and Bob McKenzie part of the team, which consists of ten members. This committed team not only pursues sporting goals; It is also committed to the "End Polio Now" campaign. The original donation goal of $ 500,000 has already been exceeded and is now $ 550,000, which means that a million children can be vaccinated with the donations.

The team reports that it had to deal with extreme weather conditions during the race, among which rain and thunderstorms belonged, as well as technical problems with the bicycles. Despite these setbacks, the crew was well organized and motivated. She received a lot of support from spectators along the route.

marital applications on the way to the destination

On June 25th, Kurt Matzler asked the question of all questions during his teammate Ruth Brandstätter's race: he asked her if she wanted to marry him. This became an emotional moment of the race and shows how deep the ties within the team go. At the end of the competition, the team was warmly welcomed in Annapolis after it had successfully completed the race in its category.

The RAAM 2025 not only commemorates a demanding sporting challenge, but also of the sociable and philanthropical spirit of the team. Matzler himself has collected $ 4 million in the past to exterminate children's paralysis-an impressive performance that also draws attention to the urgent need for the vaccination campaigns.

A threshold for a new record is now imminent: While the participants: Inside the pedals, it remains to be seen how quickly they will cover the route and what other challenges they expect. Rotary and other supporters will continue to report on the stages and the progress of Matzler and his team.