Search
shop

British triathlon star in tearful tribute after ASTONISHING career-defining performance at IRONMAN Frankfurt

The rain proved a sign for Brit Kieran Lindars as he produced a career-defining display to chase home Kristian Blummenfelt in Germany.
News Director
Last updated -
ALL ABOUT THE ATHLETE

To say the emotions were flowing for Kieran Lindars after he claimed a superb second place at IRONMAN Frankfurt on Sunday would be a massive understatement.

The Brit was welling up long before he crossed the finish line just under five minutes behind the astonishing Kristian Blummenfelt in what was a career-defining display.

Lindars won Challenge Almere in 2022 and was runner-up there last season but only after a desperate – and horrible to watch – late wobble on the run after he started to overheat.

But since then it’s been a struggle – with his only top-15 finish this season a fifth place at Challenge Wales.

Advertisement

Doing it for the volunteers

IRONMAN Frankfurt’s start list was a completely different level but Lindars excelled and held firm on the run, so no wonder he was so thrilled afterwards when interviewed by Paul Kaye on the live broadcast.

He explained: “I’ve had a really tough year. I had a really rocky finish in a race last year, and I’ve been in really bad health.

I didn’t know whether or not I could do it again.

“My whole team is made up of volunteers and local clubs – they go out there every day when it’s raining and I just wanted to show them I could do it.

“I mean every race I’ve gone to this year, I’ve been just smashed. But I think I’ve got something for the Ironman, it’s my distance. I’ve always had good performances in it. And I went away from the last race and I just thought, you know, I really need to step away, just take some time, really work out what I need to do.

“I said to the team around me, like, I just need a little bit of something.

Rain proves a godsend

“And I saw the rain today and I was like, you know, I don’t get the luxury of training in all these fantastic places. I’ve been rained on all year. And I thought, right, this is mine.”

Ironically the rain actually made one aspect trickier for him – though in turn that meant he raced on feel.

He explained: “I kind of found myself in a [good] place on the bike and thought this is a group to stick with.

“And then the run all my computers and everything, nothing worked because it was so wet. But I saw Kristian and I was like, well, realistically, I should lose a few minutes to him. So for the first half, I was like, well, I can still see him, I must be running okay.

Kieran Lindars IRONMAN Frankfurt run 2024 photo credit IRONMAN
Kieran Lindars clocked a 2:37 marathon [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

“This is just to say thank you to all my team and everyone behind me. You know, they stayed with me when I didn’t think I could do it.

“They gave me everything. You know, they’re all volunteers. They do it for free. I just wanted to show them that it’s worth it for me and everyone else that are part of the clubs.”

It was a magnificent display, rounded off with a 2:37:05 marathon, and one which will surely transform Lindars’ fortunes – it also gives him the option of going to Kona for the IRONMAN World Championship.

And as he could barely clamber onto the podium shortly afterwards, it couldn’t have been clearer that he’d left everything out there.

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
Abbie Brind IRONMAN Zell am See
From total beginner to half Ironman finisher – Top tips for taking on your first half distance triathlon
Challenge Family Kaiserwinkle-Walchsee triathlon bike
The ultimate triathlon bike courses to ride before you die
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
Road cyclist
Road cycling gear guide for beginners – Essential cycling clothing and accessories to get started
latest News
Lionel Sanders bike 703 Worlds 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders suffered fractured hip in bike crash which ended his season
Blenheim Triathlon - perfect for begniner triathletes
British triathlon at UNESCO World Heritage site announces two new events
Georgia Taylor Brown Santa Vall gravel race 2025 photo credit Santa Vall and Gravel Earth Series
British Olympic triathlon star has “so much fun” on gravel biking debut and “wants to sign up for more”
Outlaw Triathlon 2010
“We’ve come a long way, but the ethos remains the same” – Outlaw Triathlon Race Director on 15 years of daring to do things differently
Geraint Thomas cyclist 2024 photo credit INEOS Grenadiers
British cycling legend and Tour de France winner plans IRONMAN triathlon after retirement
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

Share to...