Search
shop

Challenge Samarkand 2024 results: Blummenfelt and Madsen too good for rivals

It proved to be Scandinavian dominance at the second edition of Challenge Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Sunday.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Kristian Blummenfelt and Laura Madsen each proved a class apart as they won their respective races to make it a Scandinavian double at the second edition of Challenge Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Sunday.

Despite saying afterwards that he felt “flat”, former Olympic and IRONMAN World Champion Blummenfelt led home a Norwegian one-two ahead of Gustav Iden in the men’s race.

And up-and-coming Danish star Madsen was never threatened as she completely dominated the women’s field.

Men’s race

A small but select field was missing one notable name as Challenge Roth runner-up Tom Bishop was unable to start due to sickness.

Reigning IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Rico Bogen (GER) led out of the water in 23:20.

But it was Iden, on the comeback trail as he builds up to Kona, who overtook him in transition and just behind that duo were Blummenfelt, Ruben Zepuntke (GER) and Bogdan Kovalenko (KAZ).

Bogen was soon back in front and would go on to set the fastest time on the two-lap rolling bike course which passed some of Samarkand’s most iconic historic buildings.

It all meant he was first into T2, with a 51 seconds advantage over Kovalenko, who was having a great race against the big guns.

But two of those – Blummenfelt and Iden – would come to the fore on the run, with the former cutting into Bogen’s lead.

The catch came just before the halfway point as ‘Big Blu’ powered past and within a matter of strides was clear.

It soon became obvious that barring a mishap the victory was going to him, just three weeks after his incredible win at IRONMAN Frankfurt.

But the big question was whether Iden could catch Bogen and that was answered at the start of the final lap as he made the move and went on to cross the line just under three minutes behind Blummenfelt.

Kristian Blummenfelt wins Challenge Samarkand 2024
Another win for Kristian Blummenfelt [Photo credit: Challenge Family]

Bogen rounded out the podium in third, with Kovalenko a fine fourth.

Women’s race

It was a wire-to-wire win for 21-year-old Madsen.

She exited the water in first in 26:35, 13 seconds ahead of Marta Lagownik (POL), with Justine Guerard (FRA) in third, 15 seconds down, and home hope Alina Khakimova (UZB) nearly three minutes back in fourth.

It should have been a five-strong field but sickness prevented Nicole Van Der Kaay from making her professional middle-distance debut after representing New Zealand at the Paris Olympics just a few weeks ago.

Up front it was one-way traffic, with Madsen by now putting distance between herself and the rest.

She was more than 11 minutes clear and had run more than 2.5km of the half marathon before second-placed Lagownik came into T2.

It was Lagownik who would clock the fastest run with a 1:23:23 but she was just over 10 minutes behind Madsen on the line, with Guerard in third.

Laura Madsen wins Challenge Samarkand 2024
Laura Madsen was out on her own [Photo credit: Challenge Family]

Challenge Samarkand 2024 results

Sunday September 8, 2024 – 1.9km / 90km / 21.5km

PRO Men

  • 1. Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) – 3:31:42 [22:57 / 1:51:50 / 1:13:52]
  • 2. Gustav Iden (NOR) – 3:34:26 [22:54 / 1:51:49 / 1:16:36]
  • 3. Rico Bogen (GER) – 3:35:35 [22:49 / 1:50:46 / 1:18:44]

PRO Women

  • 1. Laura Madsen (DEN) – 3:58:34 [26:24 / 2:04:16 / 1:24:50]
  • 2. Marta Lagownik (POL) – 4:08:37 [26:38 / 2:15:23 / 1:23:23]
  • 3. Justine Guerard (FRA) – 4:18:34 [26:39 / 2:16:53 / 1:31:27]
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
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
PremiumExpert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
Start list for IRONMAN Lake Placid REVEALED – and it’s stacked with world class names
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz 2025: Olympic star wins by MORE than half an hour for first full-distance win
Matt Hauser Linn Jeffcoat Willian Australia win Mixed Relay WTCS Hamburg 2025
WTCS Hamburg 2025 Mixed Relay World Championship: Hauser anchors Australia to glory
Kat Matthews wins IRONMAN 703 Swansea 2025 finish line
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2025 women’s results: Kat Matthews a class apart
Harry Palmer wins IRONMAN 703 Swansea 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2025 men’s results: Britain’s Harry Palmer defends title in style
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.

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

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

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...