Media Alert
Monday, March 30, 2009
Michael Klim Survives Bizarre Strongman Run in Germany
Olympic swimming champ Michael Klim swam through 6degree water, climbed over
airport hangars and ran through clay to complete his toughest sporting challenge
early this morning in the first Fisherman’s Friend-funded Australian attempt at a
grueling 18km obstacle-littered Strongman Run in Germany’s Rhine Valley.
The Full Video News Release is available online to preview and download:
Klim, 31, and his three Australian counterparts were among 8000 starters in the
annual eccentric European event promoted as “the strongest run there is”, the
Fisherman’s Friend Strongman Run.
Klim said the intensity of the event, featuring 32 obstacles, made it the “hardest thing
I have ever done”, completing the course in 2hours23minutes.
“You can’t compare it to anything … it’s not a fun run; it’s not an adventure race,” he
said. “The course was borderline dangerous.
“You were climbing over obstacles like airport hangars. You had to do two laps of the
course so the second time around some of the obstacles were closed because
people got hurt.
“When I dived in at the water obstacle it was 7degrees … I was out of there as fast
as I could. The run through clay was tough. Not only were you wet, but you were
cold, your legs were numb and your shoes were filled with mud. It was a real test.
“The most rewarding part was the 30,000 spectators and the spirit of the competitors
who helped each other over obstacles. The main obstacles were focused around
where the spectators were, so the adrenalin was amazing as they cheered you on.”
Klim was the second Australia to finish, with Sydney-based team-mate Garry
Browne, completing the event in 2hr3min. Browne is the Managing Director of Stuart
Alexander the distributor of Fisherman’s Friend in Australia and New Zealand.
Browne, a triathlete and former marathon runner who has also scaled Africa’s highest
peak Mt Kilimanjaro, said it was “a once in a lifetime experience that made triathlon
seem easy in comparison”.
Melbourne medical student Theola Louie, who won two spots on the team through a
competition, rolled her ankle and did not finish, while her training partner, engineer
Aaron Ling, took just over three hours to complete the event.
Last year’s winner, German medical student and triathlete Knut Hohler, who
completed the then 16km course in a very fast 72min01sec, took 93mins to win this
year’s event. The obstacles change each year.
*** RACE VISION AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE TODAY ***
The race started at midday (German time) on Sunday, March 29 – Michael
completed it in 2hr23min (about 12.23am Monday, March 30 AEST).
A 2-3minute video news release will be available today, along with race photographs.
I will issue a media release along with a URL link to the vision if you are interested in
using it.
For further information please contact Tracie Edmondson of IRPR on 02 9360
1166, 0416 258 342 or tedmondson@irpr.com.au
NEWS 
