PRO-File: Stephan Schwarze

Triathlon is a goal-oriented sport. Personal finish lines are crossed every weekend throughout racing season, with distances ranging from a super-sprint to 140.6 grueling miles of an Ironman.  Athletes give their best efforts towards accomplishing goals and the feeling of satisfaction when hearing their name cross the line is unmatched. Some find they’ve had a fair share of pain after completing a sprint like The Rookie Triathlon, or brag about an age group podium at their first, Olympic distance race. For the brave individuals who commit to finishing an Ironman, a memory is etched in their hearts forever as one more item is scratched from the bucket list. We know of one man who has crossed his own finish line over 150 times, his name is Stephan Schwarze.

Stephan was born in Göttingen, Germany on August 1st, 1967. Growing up he played tennis and soccer, and competed in Alpine Skiing. He didn’t start running until 1988. At the age of 21 he completed his first marathon. He immediately fell in love with endurance sports and began competing in triathlons shortly after. He attended the Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany and was a member of the 1990 German Collegiate Championship triathlon team. He also coached at Karlsruhe from 1989-1991. Following the championship win in Germany, Stephan completed an average of twelve triathlons per year leading up to 1994 with a few of those races being Ironman distances: Germany, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

From 1994 to 2000, Stephan took a break from triathlon and focused mostly on running and his work. He was offered a job at Trilogy Software in Austin in 1996. His plan was to stay for a year and then move back to Europe, but his time in Texas was only just beginning. His running form led him to a marathon PR with a time of 2 hours and 42 minutes in 1998, and a half-marathon PR of 1:13 in 1999, both in Austin. In 2001 he reignited the multisport flame by competing in Ironman Australia and qualified for the World Championship in Kona. He elected to race in Hawaii that year and crossed the finish line on Ali’i Drive in 10 hours and 55 minutes. He qualified for and raced in Kona every year for the next six years. He even set his Ironman personal record time on the big island in 2005 with a time of 9 hours and 2 minutes.

His accomplishments in triathlon are far too numerous to list here, but his endeavors off of the race course simply accentuate this man’s ability to excel. He has a Ph.D in Technical Sciences, can carry on conversation in four languages, founded his own coaching program overseeing the training of 10 athletes, and has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Business Intelligence at St. Edward’s University. He has helped mold the lives of students and athletes alike.

Another more exciting and personal achievement occurred on July 18, 2009. Stephan married a beautiful girl from Mexico, Illiana Miranda, after meeting her 3 years before at a friend’s wedding. The two had seen each other at a local swim group many times prior, but according to Stephan, Illiana could no longer ignore her feelings for him at their mutual friends’ ceremony. Perhaps the most exciting event for the adoring couple is one that hasn’t happened yet: Stephan and Illiana are expecting their first child this December.

There are some people you meet in life that can only be described as beacons of hope, examples of just what is humanly possible. Stephan fills this role perfectly, and does so with a humble spirit. He visits the shop with his sweetheart revealing a calm, reserved demeanor. A slight welcoming smile comforts the people he talks to as his speed-yielding frame awaits its next challenge.

Stephan Schwarze has completed 17 marathons, 18 duathlons, 24 sprint & 28 olympic triathlons, 20 half-Ironman distances, and crossed the finish line of 47 full Ironman races. In 2011, he finished Ironman Regensburg in Germany, a feat that gave him the honor of having completed every Ironman that had ever taken place around the world up to that point.

He is not done yet. Stephan raced at Ironman Lake Placid last weekend and qualified to compete on the big island again for this year’s IM World Championship. He redefines what is possible in the scope of human accomplishment. When the newest addition to the Schwarze crew arrives, he plans to take some time off from racing, understandably so, since he has put forth an effort that you usually read about in motivational books and see in inspirational movies. We love when Stephan & Illiana visit the bike shop. They show genuine interest in everyone but themselves, and are sure to create a world of hope and possibility for their newborn child. Thank you for being our beacons of hope, Stephan & Illiana. See you in KONA!

by Mike Thompson of Jack & Adam’s