World Triathlon champion, Jan Frodeno celebrated the 15th birthday of DATEV Challenge Roth, by sensationally setting a new world record in the long distant triathlon of 3,8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42,195 marathon.
5-year world record shattered
Coming in with a time of 7:35:39 hours, the world champion undercut Andreas Raelerts record set on the same long distant course five years ago by almost six minutes. Frodeno, was well ahead of second placed, Joe Skipper who finished 20 minutes later at 7:56:23 hours. Defending champion, Nils Frommhold earned third place, also breaking the Eight-Hour-Mark just barely with a time of 7:57:49 hours.
Frodeno, the Olympic winner from 2008 prepared himself meticulously for the race and was the top favourite on race day with optimal weather. No triathlete had ever won in Hawaii to continue on to win Roth! Frodeno was in a class by himself during the swim and during the bike race he didn’t let any rivals within visual range, in spite of a small mishap that landed him in a ditch during the second round. “But that probably took more time due to the adrenaline push, than what the fall took”, said Frodeno afterwards.
Though in the end the “ups” got the upperhand and a stunned winner confessed in his first interview at the finish line, “Now I understand why this the biggest race of all!”
Daniela Ryf close to breaking record
Daniela Ryf only announced her surprise participation last week but her astonishing finishing time was no surprise, winning the DATEV Challenge Roth with an unbelievable time of 8:22:04 hours.
Ryf achieved the third best time ever on the long distant of 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and a 42,195 km marathon and she had record holder Chrissie Wellington on tenterhooks as she was so close to breaking the record.
Daniela Ryf had dominated her rivals coming in 20 minutes later, as Australian Carrie Lester, finished second at 8:42:13 hours and defending champion, Yvonne van Vlerken (8:49:35 hours) finishing third. Van Vlerken was seeking to be the first woman to win four times in Roth but Ryf denied her that chance.
Source: Challenge Roth.
