Patrick Lange‘s bid for a record marathon time at Challenge Roth was over well before it could even begin.

The German superstar, who won the iconic race in 2021 and finished runner-up to Magnus Ditlev in 2022 and 2023, had not only been targeting overall victory but also breaking the mythical two hours and 30 minutes mark on the run.

No one had gone closer than his 2:30:27 in this race last year and much had been made about his chances, especially as prototype super shoes are allowed in the event.

Race over early on bike

The race got under way at 6:35am local time and when Lange emerged from the water over three minutes behind early leader Lukasz Wojt, he visibly looked in pain.

He started the bike section but getting into the aero position proved to be too much of a challenge – his deficit was up to +4:33 after 5km – and he was forced to call it a day soon after.

A dream shattered❌ Patrick Lange had to drop out of the race early after the swim due to health issues. It seems he's in severe pain, holding his ribs. That means we won't get to see his special Adidas shoes as he attempts to break 2:30h on the run#challengeroth #wearetriathlon pic.twitter.com/09F4cCt884

— Challenge Roth (@ChallengeRoth) July 7, 2024

‘I’ll be back’

Reports later suggested he had bruised ribs following the swim and was being checked out to make sure there was no break.

And that was then confirmed by the man himself after he posted on his Instagram account: “I’m doing well under the circumstances. Luckily the rib isn’t broken, it’s ‘just’ badly bruised. Thanks for your support!!! Luck wasn’t on my side today, but I’ll be back.”

It’s a huge shame for both Lange and the race itself as conditions had looked to be almost perfect – not too hot and virtually no wind.

Indeed both Magnus Ditlev and Anne Haug, the respective winners, would go on to beat the fastest-ever full-distance times, Haug clocking a 2:38 marathon in the process.

And speaking in more detail later to presenters Belinda Granger and Sebastian Kienle on the live broadcast, Lange explained what happened: “We get into the ‘washing machine’, maybe 50 to 100 metres into the swim, and I got the hardest hit of my life.

“I was swimming for a little bit with only one arm as the whole left side was blocked.

“I wasn’t able to breathe – it was safety first and I had to call it a day.

“My physio said three ribs were discolated.

“That’s sport, it’s one of those days.”