The nicest present that the DATEV Challenge Roth could get for its 15th birthday was brought by the winner himself. Jan Frodeno set a sensational new world record at the long distance classic in the triathlon heartland of Roth.
With a time of 7:35:39, the world champion undercut Andreas Raelert's record set on the same long distant course of 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.195 km marathon five years ago by almost six minutes.
Frodeno announced six months ago that he would start in Roth in order to attack Raelert's record. And when a man in this class makes such an announcement, “then he should do everything possible to make it happen”, said Jan Frodeno, overjoyed, at the finish line. The 2008 Olympic gold medallist prepared himself meticulously for that race on the short distance. At the start he met up with not only the largest field in the triathlon circus, but also optimal weather conditions: a slightly cloudy sky, warm temperatures and practically no wind.
The top favorite got going on his start-to-finish win. It was a race against the clock, but it wasn’t a solitary race. Over a hundred thousand fans watched the impressive solo of this top favorite athlete, who in the end not only held a new world record in his hands, but also broke an unspoken law in the series. No athlete 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 leg he didn’t let any rivals within visual range, in spite of a small mishap that landed him in a ditch during the second lap. “But that probably took more time due to the adrenaline push, than what the fall took”, said Frodeno afterwards.
He didn’t have much to say during the race, even more he experienced many “ups and downs” on the last part of the marathon course. 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!”
Just how outstanding Frodeno was, proves his advance on the competition. The surprisingly second placed Joe Skipper came in 20 minutes after the winner. Defending champion Nils Frommhold earned third place, also breaking the eight-hour mark.
As with the men (Jan Frodeno), so with the women (Daniela Ryf): The Hawaii-winners have dominated the Middle Frankonien triathlon classic. Ryf won DATEV Challenge Roth with an unbelievable time of 8:22:04 – and achieved the third best time ever on the long distance. She almost reached the fairy-tale time that the unforgettable Chrissie Wellington set during her triumphs in 2010 (8:19:13) and 2011 (8:18:13).
Results: Challenge Roth
Professional Men
Jan Frodeno (GER) – 7:35:39
Joe Skipper (UK) – 7:56:23
Nils Frommhold (GER) – 7:57:49
Professional Women
Daniela Ryf (SUI) – 8:22:04
Carrie Lester (AUS) – 8:42:13
Yvonne van Vlerken (NED) – 8:49:35
