Tina Fischl impresses in demanding 10km race at Lipno Reservoir in the Czech Republic – a wrong turn shortly before the finish costs her the lead in the women’s competition
Personal trainer and ultra-runner Tina Fischl, competing for WSV Otterskirchen, experienced a race that was both highly successful and unexpectedly eventful at the 10km race held in Lipno on the shores of the Czech Republic’s Lipno Reservoir. On the demanding course, featuring approximately 350 meters of elevation gain, she claimed gold in the W50 age category by a comfortable margin and secured an excellent second place in the overall women’s standings.
The race presented a significant challenge for all participants. Large sections of the course followed trails and forest paths along the reservoir, while one of the toughest segments led up to the famous Treetop Walkaway, requiring runners to climb numerous flights of stairs.
From the very beginning, the WSV athlete took the lead in the women’s field. Despite competing against considerably younger runners, Tina Fischl quickly established a comfortable gap over the runner in second place. With just three kilometers remaining, an overall victory seemed within reach.
However, the race then took an unexpected turn. While leading the field, Fischl missed a turn in the forest and only realized her mistake after running a considerable distance downhill. Forced to retrace her steps, she had to regain the lost elevation and cover additional distance. During this unplanned detour, the runner from the Czech Republic who had been in second place overtook her and moved into the lead.
The extra distance and effort demanded a great deal of energy. Nevertheless, the ultra-runner fought her way back into the race and secured second place in the overall women’s classification, finishing comfortably ahead of the third-placed competitor.
Fischl accepted the missed overall victory with good sportsmanship, as her performance remains highly impressive. Winning gold in the W50 category and finishing second overall against a field of much younger competitors once again highlights the exceptional endurance and determination of the long-distance specialist from Fürstenstein.
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For more information, please visit: https://www.lipnosportfestival.cz/de/lauf/
Photo documentation: © Alex Fischl