The bike and run legs at this weekend’s IRONMAN Frankfurt have both been shortened as officials take drastic action to protect athletes from the scorching heatwave that has left much of Europe sweltering in temperatures of 40C and above.
A statement issued by the M-Dot brand on Friday afternoon confirmed the adjustments, which they say have been made ‘to help limit prolonged heat exposure and support athlete well-being’.
It now means the Frankfurt bike course will be limited to 125km instead of the usual 180km, and the run has been cut from 42.2km to a half-marathon of 21.1km, with the measures in place for both age-group athletes and the pro men.
Consultation with city officials and medical teams
With fierce temperatures expected to spike again over the weekend, several endurance events have already been cancelled, with IRONMAN Nice and its associated 70.3 being postponed earlier on Friday, and the Hamburg half-marathon also being halted.
A key difference between the Nice decision to cancel and the Frankfurt call to carry on is likely due to the fact that it was the local authorities in France – the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture – who insisted on calling things off, stating concerns about the impact on its emergency and healthcare services.
In its statement regarding the Frankfurt changes, IRONMAN confirmed that talks had taken place with officials from the German city and that they were happy to continue, but with a reduced-distance event.
The statement read: “Due to the high temperatures forecasted for this Sunday’s Mainova IRONMAN Frankfurt European Championship, IRONMAN, in consultation with the City of Frankfurt, medical teams, and local authorities, has made the decision to implement the following adjustments to the bike and run courses.
‘Athletes should plan for a non-wetsuit swim’
“The bike course has been shortened to 125 kilometres. Athletes will still complete two loops, with the northern loop being removed. The run course has been shortened from four laps to two laps, for a total of 21.1 kilometres.
“The swim course remains unchanged. Based on current water temperatures, athletes should plan for a non-wetsuit swim, with the official confirmation to be communicated on race morning.”
It then added: “These adjustments have been made to help limit prolonged heat exposure and support athlete well-being.”
The news, however, has not gone down well with some age-groupers who reacted on Instagram with a sense of frustration that their chances of competing in a full-distance IRONMAN this weekend have now been dashed.
‘I’m responsible for my own health’
One athlete wrote: “We should be allowed to postpone it now. We’ve spent years and months training to complete the full distance.
“We’ve spent a lot of money on it, and now it’s simply being shortened without my permission. Yes, safety in the heat is a priority and is very important. But every participant should now please exercise the option to postpone it.”
Another stated: “Very bad decision! You train for months/year for one day, and then the decision is made for you. Anyone who signs up for an Ironman is not just a hobby athlete but knows themselves best.”
While another added: “This is just sad… I’m responsible for my own health, not you guys… I understand the decision, but really? What are you guys going to do in Kona or other very hot places? Thanx anyway for the backpack and the T-shirt… Please keep the medal…”
Kona slots and Pro Series points unchanged
The pro race, which doubles up as the European Championship for the men, will still carry six qualification slots for the World Championships in Kona, while Pro Series points will also remain unchanged.
It is a field headed by two of the podium-finishing Norwegian athletes at last year’s world championships, with Casper Stornes and his training partner, Gustav Iden, looking to get some crucial kilometres into their legs ahead of another Kona push in October.
Their preparations for the race were somewhat unorthodox on Friday as the duo emerged onto the streets of Frankfurt in 36C heat, dressed in full winter kit, including coats, hats, gloves and snoods.
Explaining their new-look ‘heat prep’, Iden said: “The issue is that it is too hot, so we have to compensate by being too, too hot today. I think it is going to be extremely warm on Sunday, so hopefully, we will be a little bit more ready by doing this today… Hopefully… because this is suffering. So if it doesn’t do us any good, then it is just suffering.”
Stornes added: “I just didn’t have any t-shirts or shorts left, so I just put this on.”
