1st place for stage sponsor

Armin Schönmann enjoys the loop through the Steinhauserwald forest

18.04.2018 The Swiss Life General Agency Zug has been supporting the Raiffeisen Zuger Trophy as a stage sponsor in Steinhausen for years. As marketing manager, Armin Schönmann coordinates the commitment - and has tackled the "own" stage in the Nordic Walking category.

Wednesday morning, 8 a.m., a glorious spring day awakens. Armin Schönmann's anticipation of the 12.3 kilometers through the Steinhauser Forest is written all over his face. "What about the pace? Brisk or what?" No sooner said than done. He marches off at a brisk pace and explains that he discovered running a good four years ago: "In 2016, I covered 1,400 kilometers in two months." The Way of St. James project at the time didn't ultimately lead him to Santiago de Compostela, but he did discover the canton of Graubünden, the Montafon and Lichtenstein. And today, at 54, he feels much fitter than he did at 40, emphasizes the grandfather of two, who lives in Oberägeri.

Enjoying the moment
This is his first time on the Zuger Trophy and he is absolutely thrilled. "A dream route," Schönmann marvels again and again along the way. And when peaceful grazing deer appear, he slows down: "I enjoy these moments. The time is secondary," he whispers. Schönmann is delighted that the Swiss Life General Agency Zug is supporting the Zug Trophy. Stefan Furrer, Head of the Zug General Agency, is responsible for the sponsorship and Schönmann implements it. Swiss Life GA Zug has been based in Steinhausen for four years, where it employs 19 people.

Gripped by ambition
Armin Schönmann stops his running time with his smartphone. And voilà - a brisk average pace of 8:12 minutes per kilometer. A little later comes the news: "1st/12th place". First place at the premiere. If that's not a good omen. He definitely intends to walk all the stages. The ambition seems to have taken hold of him. And the Trophy has found another fan.

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