Posted: January 17, 2005

Triathlon: Mamma Mia! Pro Triathlete, Coach, Event Director, Now Mamma Mayer

From: Steve Handwerker, SLHCommunications, Inc.

AUGSBURG, GERMANY (January 14, 2004) – Professional Ironman triathlon champion and 35-time finisher, coach and event director Katja Mayer (GER) gave birth to a son, Elias Leonard Mayer, before the New Year, and reports the lad is quite healthy and training well, though he won’t be racing in 2005. Mayer and her husband, Georg Braceschi-Mayer, of Italy, welcomed Elias, their first child, on December 2, 2004.

“The hardest part is the lack of sleep and the coolest is having the nicest, most well-behaved child in the world,” says Mayer, 36, winner of the 1999 Ironman Florida. “OK, that’s a little subjective, but I’m his mom.” Mayer has raced the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championships eight times, with a 12th-place best finish and a 9-hour, 20-minute fastest.

After the getting-to-know-you period, Mayer will continue coaching without any break, “since I can do that at home, any time during the day…or night. At the moment, it's pretty stressful but possible since Elias is so sweet and charming,” she boasts. “Georg works part time and will be home two days per week, so my plan will be to have those two days as office days.” Mayer may race later this year, but has definite plans to race in 2006.

Mayer, who holds degrees in math and sport science, coaches nearly 60 triathletes, runners cyclists, and wheelchair athletes, and owns and directs the 1,000-participant Mercedes-Benz Triathlon Festival and 4,000-participant Sport-Scheck Stadtlauf city run. “We’re all about enjoying life and healthy living through sport. If there’s one thing I hope Elias will learn, it’s to pursue whatever makes him feel healthy and happy,” she says. For more information on km Sport-Agentur coaching and events, visit www.km-sportagentur.de and www.km-coaching.com or contact Mayer at km@km-sportagentur.de.