Challenge Turku celebrated it's 10th anniversary edition with Jan Volár (CZE) securing his first professional win of his career in 3:49:37 and Marlene de Boer (NED) dominating the women's field, taking the title in 4:05:48.
As the men exited the water, surrounded by the historic ships that make this swim so unique, it was Volár who led in 26:18, half a minute ahead of France's Maxence Mey. By the halfway point of the bike Volár was still in the lead, but Britain's Frederick Webb had ridden up in to second before taking the lead. Webb came into T2 with a 2:15 lead over Volár with Anders Toft Nielsen (DEN) in third, 3:49 down on the lead. Out on the run and Webb powered through the first two laps, continuing to extend his lead over Volár. Meanwhile behind them, Hugo Figuierido (POR) had run up into third. In the second half of the run, Volár started chipping away at Webb's lead but it seemed like Webb would hold him off. Then, just 2km from the finish, Webb got struck by cramp and Volár took his opportunity, taking the win in 3:49:37. Toft Nielsen took second in 3:50:31 while Mey rounded out the podium in third in 3:51:09.
"It was an amazing day, I really enjoyed every moment," said Volár at the finish line. "I felt great in the water, made a little gap and kept my pace on the bike. I felt really good but Freddie, he was stronger than me, but then he had some problems and had to stop just 2km from the end of the race, so I got lucky that I won and I really hope he will be OK."
In the women's race, local athlete Iida Reini was first out the water in 28:36 with a clear lead of 1:21 over Marlene De Boer. By 20km on the bike, de Boer had reduced Reini's lead by half and by the midpoint of the bike, it had reduced again to just 25 seconds. But shortly after, Reini registered a DNF, and De Boer took charge coming into T2 with a significant 8:11 lead over Alice Fritzsche (SUI) with Maisa Tuliniemi (FIN) in third, 11:39 down from the lead. Once out on the run, de Boer showed her dominance, consistently putting time into her chasers, taking the win in 4:05:48. Second place was Alice Fritzsche in 4:17:12 while Dieske Kruisselbrink (NED) took third in 4:23:29.
"I had a really solid day," said de Boer. "I had a good swim and the bike course, straight and flat, suits me really well. I went into the run with a big gap so didn't need to push too hard. I really enjoyed all the support here, I think it's a great race!"
For full results, visit https://live.ultimate.dk/desktop/front/index.php?eventid=6760
For more information, visit www.challenge-turku.com.