After victories in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, and 2024, Laura Philipp has just won Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau once again. The German athlete has now started the race six times in Kraichgau and has won all six.
For Philipp, the victory is undoubtedly a great boost, especially since she started her season later than ever before. After the swim, the Ironman World Champion had some chasing to do, as she entered T1 in ninth place, more than a minute and a half behind her fellow German Caroline Pohle, who was leading the race at that point. Pohle was accompanied by Lena Meissner and Natalie van Coevorden at that time.
On the bike, however, it didn’t take long for Philipp to take control of the race: by the first timing point (22 kilometers), the German athlete had moved to the front, with only Meissner, Van Coevorden and Pohle still in her slipstream. Laura Jansen also joined the group, and by the 50-kilometer mark, there were four German women together at the front, along with Australia’s Van Coevorden.
In the final phase of the bike leg, Philipp upped the pace again, causing Van Coevorden (+1:12) and Pohle (+1:14) to drop back. Meissner and Jansen managed to keep up with their compatriot and entered T2 together.
During the run, a nice battle initially unfolded between Philipp and Meissner, who boldly stayed with her and was not intimidated by her fellow countrywoman. However, the battle didn’t last long; after just a few kilometers, it became clear that Philipp was in a league of her own, allowing her to cruise relatively comfortably toward her sixth victory. Meissner’s attempt to match Philipp’s pace ultimately proved costly, as she faded further and eventually dropped off the podium.
Philipp won the race in 4:16:30. Pohle finished second in 4:20:50, and Jansen took third in 4:21:41.
Men’s race: win for Lasse Nygaard Priester, full German podium
Just like in the women’s race, the men’s podium was entirely German. Lasse Nygaard Priester won with a time of 3:45:19, followed by Fabian Kraft (3:45:40) and Nick Emde (3:50:41).
