The professional field featured defending champion, Laura Philipp (DEU), who kicked off her season being crowned 2023 IRONMAN African Champion. She came in full of confidence racing on home soil again after her memorable season last year which saw her produce an IRONMAN world best time of 8:18:20 in the 2022 IRONMAN European Championship in Hamburg, Germany. It was up to the likes of Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR), Daniella Bleymehl (DEU), Ellie Salthouse (AUS), Svenja Thoes (DEU), Anne Reischmann (DEU), Heini Hartikainen (FIN), Laura Jansen (DEU), Els Visser (NLD) and Nikki Bartlett (GBR) to spoil Philipp's run of form. However, Philipp continued her superb form by claiming yet another victory, finishing in a time of 04:15:27. A tightly contested podium finish with Charles-Barclay crossing the finish line in second place 43 seconds after, and Salthouse finishing 9 seconds after Charles-Barclay to claim the third podium spot.
In the professional men’s category, the pre-race talk was around two-time IRONMAN World Champion, Patrick Lange (GER). However, Rico Bogan (GER) had other plans, slipped under the radar, and surprised many by claiming victory on the day. He was not top of mind for many pre-event, with the hype around fellow Germans such as Maurice Clavel, Jonas Hoffman, Jan Stratmann, Marcel Bolbat and Christoph Mattner. A day that nearly saw a German podium clean sweep, with Bogan taking top honours in 03:49:51, Lange finishing in second, and Andrea Salvisberg (CHE) grabbing the last podium spot. Leaving Hoffman (GER) and Stratmann (GER), to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
In excitement, Bogan shared, "This is a big Win! It feels amazing. With a strong field featuring Patrick Lange and Andrea Salvisberg, it was so cool to come away with a win. Pre-race, I scouted out the course and I was like wow there really lots of hills. It is deceiving at first glance as it looks flat, but it just goes up and down (rolling hills), this suited me well as I am a good biker. I was able to bring it back home on a super awesome run course. The finish line atmosphere gave me goosebumps, that was awesome."
Known as the land of 1,000 hills, IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau offered beautiful scenery and a challenging course. Athletes started the day with a 1.9km swim course that took place near the Hardtsee leisure center, followed by an undulating one-loop 90 km bike course, showing athletes why the region holds its namesake. After conquering the tough bike course, athletes completed a three-loop 21.1 km run course that was packed with spectators.
MALE PRO:
1 Rico Bogen DEU 3:49:51
2 Patrick Lange DEU +0:54
3 Andrea Salvisberg CHE +1:20
4 Jonas Hoffmann DEU +2:19
5 Jan Stratmann DEU +2:57
FEMALE PRO:
1 Laura Philipp DEU 4:15:27
2 Lucy Charles GBR +0:44
3 Ellie Salthouse AUS +0:52
4 Nikki Bartlett GBR +3:27
5 Anne Reischmann DEU +3:42