From Olympics to Ironman in 2 weeks – after two year hiatus, Kristian Blummenfelt dominates in Frankfurt

It might have been his first Ironman race in two years, but despite having focussed on draft-legal racing as he sought to defend his Olympic title in Paris, Kristian Blummenfelt (pictured above on the run at the Games in Paris) made a triumphant return to Ironman racing with a huge win at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt today. It didn’t come without challenges – Blummenfelt had to make a pit stop into a port-a-potty during the run and also threw up along the run course, but you’d hardly know there were any of those issues based on his time – the Norwegian blasted through to a 7:27:21 finish and a 2:32:29 marathon. All he needed to confirm his Kona spot was a finish – but Blummenfelt did much more!

Stage set in the water

While Germany’s Wilhelm Hirsch led the way out of the water in 45:51, Blummenfelt had already put himself in a good spot, coming out of the water just nine seconds back in sixth place.  Once out on the bike Denmark’s Kristian Hogenhaug worked his way up to the front alongside Hirsch before setting off on his own to lead the way into T2 2:44 up on Germany’s Ruben Zepuntke, with Blummenfelt leading a large group that was about five minutes behind.  He was the only one of the favourites within striking distance of the Dane off the bike – two-time Kona champ Patrick Lange (GER) was almost 12 minutes behind, while Sam Long was over 17 mins behind coming off the bike.

Once out on the run there was no touching Blummenfelt, who was in the lead before the end of the first of four laps, and never looked back, despite the stop and vomiting along the way. Great Britain’s Kieran Lindars would run an impressive 2:37:05 marathon to nail second (7:32:14), with Italy’s Gregory Barnaby taking third (7:33:44). Hogenhaug would hang tough for fourth (7:35:32), with Menno Koolhaas (NED) finishing fifth (7:35:51).