Rain and cold - so what?

Created: 09/20/2022, 1:00 p.m

By: Ludwig Stuffer

Tight race: Dieter Heimstädt (middle) had to admit defeat to Gene Allen (r.) over 100 meters hurdles.

© Ludwig Stuffer

It was very nice, but also very cold: The German Championships for seniors in athletics at the weekend in Altenerding's Sepp-Brenninger-Stadion were a complete success.

Erding – From the youngest athletes from the age of 35 to the oldest starter, Josef Riedl from TuS Bad Aibling, who at the age of 91 became double champion in shot put and discus throw with the M 90 seniors, everyone was there with great enthusiasm.

Track and field athletes don't really talk about the weather, but these title fights were probably the coldest of their kind in history. On Saturday, temperatures were around ten degrees Celsius, and on Sunday it was only "wind-garnished" almost nine degrees of bitter cold.

On top of that there were numerous showers on both days.

But despite the cold weather, there were many personal successes, national records and also German records in Erding.

As usual, the track and field department of TSV Erding, with Kerstin and Christian Weber at the helm, was in charge of this top event.

As an extremely experienced organizer, it was obvious that the "athletics makers" would again present a perfect championship.

And yes: The entire TSV department team was sure to receive praise from all sides.

Christian Weber revealed: "Of course we have the experience with organizing such big title fights, but for us this event will remain unique." It was not the big problem such an event, after big Bavarian championships in recent years to make a perfect project.

But "I would actually like to be the head of the house at home," he said.

By that the Erdinger meant

that when holding a national championship, it was simply more complicated to “make decisions on your own”, since more bodies such as the German Athletics Association (DLV) wanted demands and measures.

That's why it went well all round, but a little more complex and therefore "slowing down" than normal.

"Of course, as an association, we were again able to oblige all of our members to help and judge, and of course we are very proud that many former members supported us," Christian Weber stated with satisfaction.

In addition to the many referees from his own ranks, he was also able to fall back on many officials from south-eastern Bavaria.

Judges came from all over Germany.

"And that's sometimes a bit difficult when there are additional demands from the highest authorities or even when external workers have to be introduced to their tasks on site in Erding," said Christian Weber.

As an "athletics family", the "Webers" could be found everywhere in the stadium: Christian and Kerstin Weber were like "caretakers" once again, lending a hand wherever questions needed to be answered, quick and uncomplicated help was needed or simply "Not am Mann" was.

Her children "lurked" at all competition sites when measuring, judges and registering data: Evi Weber in the javelin throw, Tim Weber in the hammer throw, Lilli Weber in the long and triple jump.

Finally, Nina Weber coordinated the events at all award ceremonies.

"We were there from 7 a.m. until after 8 p.m.," said Christian Weber, who had his hands full with a large team from Friday.

"And the post-processing when tidying up won't be any less time-consuming in the next few days either."

Weatherproof: Evi Weber measures the javelin throw.

© Ludwig Stuffer

Real Erdinger district athletes were not at the start of this major event this time.

However, one athlete held the flag of regional athletics very high: Dieter Heimstädt from Freising, teacher at the Anne Frank Gymnasium in Erding, celebrated two resounding successes: On the first day, he unexpectedly won the gold medal in the long jump in the jersey of the LAG Mittlere Isar the men M 50. In the final he landed at an excellent 5.54 meters.

The 51-year-old had to tremble until the last jump, but in the end the ambitious athlete was beaming all over his face.

As the new and completely surprising German champion, he relegated Thomas Müller from TSG Markkleeberg (5.46 m) and Harald Köhler from TSV Ipsheim (5.34 m) to the places.

"I really didn't expect that at all," said Heimstädt happily, who could hardly believe his luck, because just three weeks ago "I had a slight strain on my thigh, and it wasn't even clear then that I would even start in Erding". .

A few days ago, however, he completed a good final training session in the long jump.

"Yes, it somehow worked out quite well, that's why I believed in myself again in this discipline, but gold was never in my sights," said the 51-year-old.

"For me, Erding has come full circle again, because I started here for the first time in a German championship in 2003," reported Heimstädt.

At that time he won the team bronze medal at the German Pentathlon Championships.

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Because he was slightly injured and the weather was so bad, Heimstädt gave up his two starts over 100 and 200 meters.

"There could have been top places, but it would have been tight for a medal," said the versatile athlete.

"It's actually not me that I report to a DM and then don't start.

But as you get older, you probably become a little more sensible,” added the veteran with a smile.

Of course, on Sunday he wanted to defend his title in the 100 meter hurdles.

After an iron struggle, he sprinted to the runner-up title in a remarkable 15.42 seconds and was still very satisfied.

The native American Gene Allen from the Swabian TV Dietenhofen was unbeatable here with 14.84 seconds.

Curiously, Allen was allowed to start in Erding because he had never competed internationally for his continent.

In the Bavarian title fights, on the other hand, he was not counted because of his nationality - proof that the rules at national level are still different than in the Free State.

Nevertheless, Heimstädt was also happy about silver.

"In view of the weather, the wet and the cold, I'm really very satisfied with my performance, and my opponent was undoubtedly the favourite," said the teacher fairly.

Tirelessly on the go: Christian Weber (right) and Alexander Bauer, here collecting the hurdles, had their hands full at the weekend.

© Ludwig Stuffer

There were nice and fair gestures in these title fights all the time.

Many of the age group athletes from Germany have known each other for decades.

Not only were the award ceremonies friendly, but also the gestures and congratulations after the competitions at the finish line and at the throwing and jumping facilities.

But not only the camaraderie characterized the competitions - the ambition was also enormous.

The 86-year-old Ulrich Richter from TSV Unterhaching won two silver medals - in the hammer and discus throw - and revealed: "Such a medal is of course nice, but just winning is not enough, because the performance has to be right.

Only then are we seniors satisfied.”