Germany’s Jan Frodeno crowned Ironman men’s winner

Germany’s Jan Frodeno was crowned the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championship men’s winner after crossing the finish line in three hours, 36 minutes and 30 seconds in a very competitive race which finished at Hobie Beach on Sunday.

British triathlete Alistair Brownlee settled for second place coming in 3.37.41, following a fascinating duel between Frodeno and Javier Gomez Noya.

Brownlee took the lead early in the run but Frodeo soon took over and kept striding away until he crossed the finish line.

Defending champion Gomez Noya who suffered some stomach cramps on the run finished third in 3.38.26.

James Cunnama who was the only South African professional athlete  on the start line finished 19th.

Frodeno, 37,  who spent most of his childhood (1992-2004) in Cape Town where he started off as a swimmer at the age of 15 years said he was happy to have won in front of what he considered his “second home crowd”.

“I am very happy, what a special day,” Frodeno said.

“This is the first time in six years that I have been back. To come here is special for one but then to perform in front of a second home crowd is just epic.

“The last time I raced in Nelson Mandela Bay was in 2001. Those were my very early days in triathlon back in the day.  I crashed somewhere a few kilometres down the road and never made it in transition two.

“It’s been a long time coming and being a champion is just so real, it’s fantastic.”

Frodeno also had to deal with an incident in the second transition area where an official instructing a volunteer walked into his bike. He said the incident gave him the adrenaline needed on the run.

“I was a little bit angry because Allistair and I did all the work all day on the bike. We tried to break away and nobody came Ben Kanute came out once, but I really wanted to hold the flag high at least on the foot race.

“Which I knew was  tough but somehow today I just had my running legs.

“I  didn’t realise I could start celebrating until the very last turn around. Because the one minute Javier was breathing down my neck and then the next he was gone.

“But I didn’t realise he was gone I was just running for my life and breathing so loud I didn’t hear anything myself.  It’s still a half Ironman it not  like you can enjoy that last kilo metre, there is pain involved.”

The two time Ironman World Championship winner said he would meet up with some old friends and have a couple of beers before heading back to prepare for Kona.

Two-time Triathlon World Champion Brownlee, 30 said he wanted to win but was happy with his second place finish.

“It was a hard day today. I wanted the swim to be very quick and I don’t think it was that quick, with Jan coming through we kind of slowed down a bit.

“I wanted to go out hard on that first round of the bike but I just didn’t have great legs and I took my time. It was my first time doing one of these competitive races.

“I am still getting used to racing in the group,” Brownlee said.

“Absolutely, I wanted to win but I gave it my everything and I must stay I am happy with it. I have had a tough year with injuries and a few things.

“I have not been myself. I basically had training in the last two weeks and I am happy with today’s result.”

Top ten men results:

1 Jan FRODENO 03:36:30 Germany

2 Alistair BROWNLEE  03:37:41 United Kingdom

3 Javier GOMEZ NOYA 03:38:26 Spain

4 Ben KANUTE  03:42:43 United States

5 Pieter HEEMERYCK  03:43:05 Belgium

6 Sam APPLETON  03:43:57 Australia

7 Adam BOWDEN 03:48:16 United Kingdom

8 Braden CURRIE  03:49:16 New Zealand

9 Michael WEISS  03:50:38  Austria

10 Rodolphe VON BERG 03:51:35 United States