Search
shop

‘I bonked five times on the bike’ – Anne Haug on St George third

The now former champion reflects on Saturday in Utah
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Almost every athlete competing in Saturday’s IRONMAN World Championship felt the pain dished out by that brutal course in St George – and defending women’s champion Anne Haug was no different.

The 39-year-old German star finally had to give up the crown she won in Kona in 2019, finishing third behind a revitalised Daniela Ryf and Britain’s Kat Matthews.

Haug’s race went to plan right at the start, as she emerged from the waters of Sand Hollow sandwiched right between the other big guns Ryf and Matthews.

Haug on the swim

She explained: “The start was quite rough, but then I got in a good rhythm and I was able to swim in the first big pack. So I was very pleased with that.

“And I’m more than pleased that the water had warmed up, because, like Ruth (Astle) said I would really struggle with that because I really hate the cold!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJPQ3lOOTo

But if the swim had been perfect in terms of the overall strategy, things started to go wrong even before Anne could get on her bike.

Anne bikes solo

“I think I messed up my transition completely because I was alone from the start,” she revealed.

“So I thought: ‘Where’s everyone gone?’ Then I did my own race.”

For the next 112 miles Anne was pretty much alone as she desperately tried to stay in contention for her great strength, the closing marathon. It wasn’t pretty.

She revealed: “It was really tough. I thought I bonked maybe five times. And I said ‘how can I run a marathon after that?’ I was really really hurting on the bike, and the run was like a real struggle to be honest.”

Anne Haug IRONMAN World Championship St G
Anne Haug finished third in St George (Getty Images for IRONMAN).

Despite the brutal exertion of that bike leg, Anne would still produce the fastest marathon of the day – 2:56:00. Good enough for third, but there was never any chance of closing the 15-minute gap to a dominant Ryf.

Running for a podium

Watching Haug storm out onto the run course as she set about chasing the leaders down was one of the day’s most enduring sights. She admitted afterwards that she pushed it to the max, almost too far.

“Yeah. I mean, maybe I pushed it, I was a bit too excited in the first lap, and I definitely wanted to get the podium spot. And then it made a big bang.

“Then after 30km, I wish the finish line would be there. But then there was a brutal steep hill coming, and I said ‘everything but not walking’ because I had my German camera team all the time next to me, so it would be a little bit embarrassing.

“But I made it to the finish line. I’m very happy with the third spot.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
lionel sanders wins oceanside 2024 [Photo credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN]
Lionel Sanders pinpoints the BIGGEST difference from Mark Allen era of triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Triathlon superstar Sam Laidlow went from near DNS at Challenge Roth to epic glory
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
Supertri Toronto 2025: How to watch live as Alex Yee makes his triathlon return
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...