Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

The North America Office of Duesseldorf Tourism and Duesseldorf Airport announce:

Swimming, cycling, and running in Düsseldorf – about 2,000 international athletes will compete against each other in these disciplines at the fifth Düsseldorf Triathlon, with 40,000 people watching along the race lines. The distances at this German Championship race conform to the USA Triathlon and International Triathlon Union’s standards and take athletes and visitors to this popular travel destination’s most beautiful sights on land and in water.

Running to the Longest Bar in the World, swimming circles around the Media Harbor, and cycling across the Rhine River are three very popular things visitors from all over the world like to do in Düsseldorf. On June 28, 2015, about 2,000 athletes will do all of that at record speeds -- swimming, cycling, and running at the Triathlon Düsseldorf. It is the fifth T³ Triathlon for this city on the Rhine and includes the German Championship. The reputation of Triathlon Düsseldorf in the international triathlon arena has been growing constantly as it attracts top athletes, and the event has been selected for the 2017 European Championships. 2008 Olympic Champion Jan Frodeno, who won the Düsseldorf Triathlon in 2013, called the event “a great race with a fantastic audience along the way.”

The swimming portion happens in Media Harbor, an area known for its spectacular modern architecture and entertainment, and the race begins right in front of the famous Gehry buildings and ends with swimmers emerging from the water right in front of spectators at the Restaurant Lido. The cycling race is especially rich in breathtaking city and river views, as it takes athletes along the Rhine River and across the two bridges that connect both sides of the city. And the running takes place in the city’s historic Old Town, home to the “Longest Bar in the World” (260 bars and restaurants in under a square mile), along the beautiful Rhine River Promenade and the famous Parliament building. An audience of about 40,000 is expected at this year’s race.

All three disciplines are offered in two distances for the participating individual and team athletes: the sprint distances (swimming 0.75 km, cycling: 19.5 km, running 5 km), and Olympic distances (swimming: 1.5 km, cycling 39.5 km, running 10 km), according to international standards such as the USA Triathlon and International Triathlon Union’s.

Several events complement the race: a 2-day Triathlon Fair with displays of triathlon gear and products on the lawn in front of the Parliament Building, as well as an entertainment program for all ages in the same location. A pasta party for the athletes on the night before the race, June 27, at the Media Harbor is a tradition that will continue this year.

Registration for the race and all other programs is now open. To register, and for more information on Triathlon Düsseldorf, please visit www.t3-duesseldorf.de.

Düsseldorf’s tourism office is offering hotel and city specials for stays in 2015. The package, called “Düsseldorf à la Card,” can be booked right from the tourism office’s website at https://www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/en/accommodation/hotel-packages/duesseldorf-a-la-card/. Prices start at €49 per night per person based on double-occupancy for a 2-3-star hotel in the city center and at €95 per person for a 4-star hotel. The package includes breakfast, one DüsseldorfCard (free public transportation within city limits plus 30 free or reduced admissions to city attractions), and a city information package. Please check the website for current information.

THE SPIRIT OF MEXICO COMES TO THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX

Nico Hulkenberg, Chef Ruben, Sergio Perez Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India and Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Force India F1 at The Taste of Mexico

Sahara Force India's Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg put culinary skills to the test

Ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, Sahara Force India drivers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg took inter-team rivalry to a new level as they put their culinary skills to the test during an old-school Mexican cook off. The event was created by the organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix to celebrate the return of F1 to Mexico City later this year (November 1st) following a 23-year hiatus.