Ironpepi Josef Mair: A jump into retirement after 25 years!

Ironpepi Josef Mair: A jump into retirement after 25 years!

Lienz, Österreich - On June 25, 2025, Josef Mair, known as "Ironpepi", said goodbye to his teaching career on BORG Lienz. This special farewell took place in the popular Lienz swimming pool, where Mair worked for many years not only as a sports teacher, but also as a committed swimming trainer. With great applause from his students: Inside, he took part in an Ironman competition that was part of the celebrations. A highlight of the event was the symbolic leap from a 3-meter tower to retire. His students: inside and college: inside came in large numbers to thank him for his passion and inspiration, while colleagues such as Karin Neumeister and Ursula Gasser paid special applause.

Josef Mair is referred to at Borg Lienz as the "father of the sports branch", an appreciation that reflects his commitment and dedication for school sports. This transition to the pension is not only the end of an era, but also a special connection between Mair and the sports events for which he has passionately trained.

The Ironman competition and its importance

The Ironman is an important goal for many athletes that brings with it both physical and mentally challenges. According to a study by Çetin (2019) on the motivation structure of triathletes, it can be seen that the motives for participating in triathlon sport are often associated with high life satisfaction and achieving personal goals. These findings illustrate the importance of such events not only for the athletes themselves, but also for their environment.

The last event in which Mair participated is in a larger context of the Ironman sport, which motivates many people to perform at top performance. These motivations are comparable to corporate philosophy in other areas, where enthusiasm, added value and self -reflection play a major role. More than 80 % of the participants of such events are male and in urban areas, which underlines the demographic characteristics of the athletes.

the Ironman 703 in Erkner and the framework conditions

A current example of the sporting challenges is the Ironman 703 in Erkner, which will be held on June 27, 2025. It is pointed out that in the event of a cancellation of the event, the ticket price is refunded minus fees. This shows the importance of transparent communication between organizers and participants. In the event of any changes to the event, place and artists can also vary without notice, which again illustrates the organizational effort and influences the expectations of the participants.

Josef Mair's withdrawal as a "Ironpi" is not only a personal milestone, but also stands for the ongoing relevance of the Ironman in sport and the inspiration that athletes can draw from such experiences. The Borg Lienz and the sports community lose a formative figure with Mair, but his legacy will live on.