Kristian Blummenfelt beats his own course record at Ironman Frankfurt in sizzling temperatures

Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt took the win today at Mainova Ironman Frankfurt, breaking his own course record at the same time as claiming his second regional Ironman Championship title this year.

Kristian Høgenhaug (DNK), who arguably had the race of his career, led from the early stages of the bike until the final lap of the run came in second, and Casper Stornes (NOR) enjoyed his second Ironman Pro Series podium, finishing in third.  

Clear skies and calm, warm waters greeted athletes at the secluded Langener Waldsee in Frankfurt’s city forest. Jonas Schomburg (DEU) took the lead early on in the swim with Johannes Vogel (DEU) and Ben Kanute (USA) on his toes.

Schomburg continued to maintain his lead and by the Aussie exit led a pack of nine out of the water, including the likes of Vogel, Wilhelm Hirsch (DEU), Kanute, Andreas Salvisberg (CHE) and Kieran Lindars (GBR).  It was Salvisberg who clocked the fastest swim of the day (47:42), as he was first to exit the water closely followed by Hirsch, Kacper Stepniak (POL) and Schomburg.  

Pushing the pedals

Hirsch led the pack out of T1 and onto the bike, but Schomburg quickly made it to the front of the pack only to be met with misfortune soon after as his TT bar came lose, meaning he lost two and a half minutes. Despite mechanical support, the problem persisted, and the German was forced to stop. Meanwhile, Kristian Høgenhaug seized his moment and took the lead on the bike, with a chase pack of Vogel, Stornes, Hirsch, and Stepniak in his wake.  

By the end of lap one, Høgenhaug had a three minute 39 second lead on the chase pack, which was now led by Stornes. Ditlev began to pick off the field, sidling into second place at around the157km mark. Other big movers on the second lap included Rudy Von Berg (USA) and Daniel Bækkegård (DNK).    

With each kilometer that passed, Høgenhaug continued to eke out a bigger and bigger gap on his competitors as he reached T2 with an eight minute 33 second lead on Bækkegård, who was closely followed by Ditlev and Stornes.  

Despite having one of the slowest swims of the day and coming out of the water in 31st position, Cameron Wurf (AUS) put on his pedigree bike form to make his way through the field, eventually clocking the second fastest bike split of the day (3:52:46) and coming off the bike in fifth. Iden followed in sixth, with Von Berg slipping down to seventh. 

Hometown favorite, Lange, got off the bike just over 14 minutes back from the lead, and then had to serve a one-minute penalty in T2 due to a swim skin violation. 

Norwegian battle

On the run, Ditlev gradually began reeling in his compatriot ahead, while behind him, a fierce foot race ignited among the Norwegian trio – Blummenfelt leading, Stornes on his shoulder, and Iden looming dangerously close. 

By the second lap, a thrilling battle had unfolded with all three Norwegians overtaking the Great Dane as they began their campaign to hunt down Høgenhaug who had continued to maintain a strong steady pace as he lapped up the epic spectator support from downtown Frankfurt.

Blummenfelt was the first to break away, holding firm to his relentless pace and making the decisive move with five miles to go. Høgenhaug held on for second, while Stornes completed the podium. Blummenfelt’s new record time was 7:25:57.

Photo Credit: Alexander Koerner, Getty Images for Ironman