IRONMAN World Champ gives update on tendon injury as race return is pushed back

Three-time and reigning IRONMAN World Champion Patrick Lange admits his recovery from an inflamed adductor tendon is taking longer than expected.

The 38-year-old German athlete revealed in a post on his Instagram account that he is still unable to run freely and has instead been forced to focus his training on the bike and in the pool.

Lange first noticed the issue in the lead up to this season’s opener at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside where he struggled to a 17th-placed finish. An MRI ahead of his next event in Texas later confirmed the diagnosis of adductor longus tendonitis.

Short-term pain, long-term gain

Deciding there was too great a risk of ‘turning it into a long-term issue’, he pulled out of all competition in the hope that a period of rest would soon see him back to full fitness. 

Deciding to stay at home and train in Germany, his recovery is being closely monitored by his physio. And the frustration is clear. 

“Balancing training load and the right mindset is a tricky act at the moment,” he said. “Some days feel great, others still leave room for improvement. 

“Running is still at a bare minimum, but I’m putting in solid work on the swim and the bike. The weather hasn’t exactly been on my side lately, but I’ve decided to stay at home to keep my physio close and fully focus on resolving the issue in my leg.

“We’re on the right track, it’s just going to take a little more time. I’m confident we’ll get there. Thanks for your support, I’ll keep you posted.”

Sub-2:30 achievement

Lange’s win in the IRONMAN World Championships last year followed on from success in both 2017 and 2018, while he also finished second in 2023 and third in 2016.

And in his absence one landmark that many expected him to break – the first men’s sub-2:30 marathon in a full-distance race – has been achieved.

Lange is widely regarded as one of the sport’s fastest runners and he had gone closest when he clocked 2:30:27 at Challenge Roth in 2023.

But in the weekend just gone, Manoel Messias shattered the mark on home roads with a 2:26:50 at IRONMAN Brazil.