Lisa Trees

With your eyes fixed ahead and your hands firmly on the handlebars, tension is in the air. Every year in August, around 1,500 enthusiastic bikers gather at the starting line of the largest bike event in Graubünden and the second largest in Switzerland. They are all eagerly awaiting the start of the National Park Bike Marathon race. But behind the scenes, the starting shot is fired much earlier – for Lisa, the moment she arrives in Scuol and hands over the start numbers to Chantal Mayor (organising committee president). Lisa then discusses the final details with the organising committee before the race.

While the participants are out and about on the various routes, Lisa is at the finish area and ensures that the timekeeping runs smoothly. She follows the race from the Datasport bus and ensures that the ranking lists are ready for the award ceremony. The arrival of the participants is a highlight for Lisa and she enjoys the special atmosphere when the bikers happily cross the finish line after many kilometres. Lisa takes us with her and tells us why she has found her calling at Datasport and what makes the National Park Bike Marathon such a special event for her.

Lisa has been working at Datasport since 2022 and has found a working environment that suits her perfectly. She initially had respect for the technical aspect of her work, but her affinity for technology and her curiosity helped her to overcome this hurdle. She reacts flexibly and quickly to changes and always endeavours to get the best out of things for her customers, i.e. the sports event organisers, as well as for the athletes. 

Lisa discovered her passion for cycling when she bought her first racing bike. At first, it was only intended as a practical means of transport for her daily commute to work, but she quickly developed a passion for cycling. Lisa now often goes for an extra ride after work and is always discovering new routes at the weekends. Her goal for the future? To try mountain biking and perhaps take part in the National Park Bike Marathon herself.

Preparations for the National Park Bike Marathon start with Lisa at the beginning of the year, when organisational issues such as registration periods, possible changes to categories or routes are clarified. Shortly before the event, approval is obtained for printing the start numbers. Here, attention must be paid to the correct presence of the sponsors and the choice of colours. The work intensity increases with the registration in March and the closer the event gets, the more intensive the dialogue with the OC becomes. Everything that can be organised in advance is crucial for the event to run smoothly. The time before the event is precious and the customer has top priority.

The passive chip system is used in the National Park Bike Marathon: each participant receives a passive chip transponder with their start number, which is attached to the handlebars of their bike. This chip is read and recorded by the timing points on the course during the race. A stable internet connection is important for this so that the times are transmitted to the finish bus. In this way, Lisa receives the required information, which is transmitted in real time and displayed in the live ranking. 

At the finish line, the racers first pass a carpet and then panels – two different systems for measuring times. This double safety measure is intended to ensure that no times are lost and that every performance is accurately recorded. In addition to the digital transmission, another person at the finish line ensures that the finishes are documented in writing. 

«Seeing the emotions of the participants, their joy, their exhaustion and the pride of crossing the finish line – that's always a special moment,’ says Lisa. Another highlight for Lisa is the close and smooth collaboration with the organising committee - this is where you realise how important the event is for the region and for the people who put their heart and soul into it.»

For Lisa, the National Park Bike Marathon is more than just a race. It is a sporting event that has something to offer everyone – from ambitious licenced riders to recreational bikers. The bike marathon offers different distances and challenges, and Lisa is convinced: «No matter how fit you are, there is a route for everyone. The event is therefore also ideal for beginners, the routes are perfectly prepared - everything here is designed to ensure that everyone reaches the finish line safely and with a good feeling.» Lisa herself would dare to take part on the Zernez course. «Then someone else will have to do the timekeeping – but someone will be found,» says Lisa with a laugh.

Lisa organises many MTB races in Switzerland and abroad and is known in her team as the «bike queen». She repeatedly experiences that the proportion of women is very low, especially in the big bike races. She would like to encourage women to take part in a race, because: Women can also manage the long distances.

Lisa doesn't spend much time in the Engadin, so she doesn't (yet) know the holiday region very well from private visits. A big advantage of her work at Datasport is that she can travel to many different places in Switzerland and abroad. This means she is always getting to know new regions and people. However, Lisa would definitely like to take the 4-day «National Park Bike Tour» package around the Swiss National Park – the «Vallader Route» – on her next holiday and discover the holiday region from a different perspective. 

Are you ready to take on the challenge? The National Park Bike Marathon is waiting for you - with different distances, spectacular scenery and an atmosphere that will inspire you to surpass yourself. Find out what makes the bike marathon special for you.

Text and pictures of Lisa Trees: Michelle Zbinden 

Pictures of the race and finish area: Dominik Täuber