GERMAN MEETINGS: ROTH – Sensation in Roth: Jan Frodeno breaks world record

The nicest present that the DATEV Challenge Roth could get for its 15^th birthday was brought by the winner himself. Jan Frodeno set a sensational new world record at the long distant classic in the triathlon heartland of Roth.

With a time of 7:35:39 hours, the world champion undercut Andreas Raelerts record set on the same long distant course, of 3,8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42,195 marathon five years ago by almost six minutes.

Frodeno announced six months ago that he would start in Roth in order to attack Raelerts 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 Olympic winner from 2008 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 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.

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 (Great Britain, 7:56:23 hours) came in 20 minutes after the winner! Defending champion, Nils Frommhold earned third place, also breaking the Eight-Hour-Mark just barely with a time of 7:57:49 hours.

Daniela Ryf climbs up in the Wellington league

The Swiss athlete won, at her premier, in Roth, the long distant triathlon with the third best time ever achieved.

As with the men(Jan Frodeno), so with the women (Daniela Ryf): The Hawaii-winners have dominated the Middle Frankonien triathlon classic. Ryf won the DATEV Challenge Roth with an unbelievable time of 8:22:04 hours – and achieved the third best time ever on the long distant of 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and a 42,195 km marathon. She almost reached the fairy-tale time that the unforgettable Chrissie Wellington set during her triumphs in 2010 and 2011. However, she was just a bit faster on the course.

The sympathetic Wellington, who was a normal spectator on Sunday in Roth, had to fear for her world record. Daniela Ryf was ten minutes faster on the bike course than the British athlete was at the time. However, on the marathon course the endurance was lacking for the long distant athlete who is still relatively young.

Even if Wellingtons world record held up: Daniela Ryf seems to be on a good path to breaking it. “I hope to come back again” she said at the finish line and gave everyone the impression that she just finished running a casual 10 km run. Just how dominant Ryf was, shows the advance that she had over her competitors. The Australian, Carrie Lester, delivered a second-place finish with a top-time of 8:42:13 hours which was still 20 minutes after the winner. Lester claimed the same position as last year and referred defending champion, Yvonne van Vlerken (8:49:35 hours) to third place.

Van Vlerken started in order to be the first woman to win four times in Roth. The chances dwindled however, when Daniela Ryf announced she would be starting just over a week ago. When Ryf, on her bike, in her own league, pedaled away, van Vlerkens dream was over.

Following the top 3, British athlete, Laura Siddal (8:51:59 hours) came in fourth. Another woman to break the Nine-Hour-Barrier. Local athlete, Anja Beranek, who came in third last year, was “only” able to achieve fifth place. With a time of 9:00:20 hours, she just barely missed the Nine-Hour-Barrier.

Roth is Rocking

This county town is boosting a major atmosphere

Samba drums on the market place, bells ringing in front of the city church, a “raise your glass” at Kugelbuehl, live music at the Acuna and for the first time ever, and gigantic open-air shower at the Espan. Roth is really giving it all!

“It is getting pretty wild down at the Espan“, that is what the local haulage firm promised and delivered. There is quite a bit going on down there, with a DJ up on top of the container bridge who is keeping the beat up while the triathletes that are running through can decide whether they want to get wet or not. Cool wetness sprays out from under the red container bridge onto the hot triathletes.

Exactly at kilometer 40 of the marathon course is the Church of the City of Roth. They are offering, “strength” for the last part of the race, Blueberry Cake – first come, first serve. You will also find the DMSG there with an information stand. They have a runner collecting money during the race.

You will find happy excited people everywhere, cheering the athletes on. Not only the tops: at the DATEV Challenge Roth it is nice tradition, that every single athlete is greeted frenetically and carried over the finish line on the excitement of the public.

The party atmosphere stretches out over generations wherever you look. Each meter of the course offers that “goosebump” feeling. That’s what makes Triathlon in Roth special!

Source: TeamChallenge ROTH