The 2025 edition of Challenge Gdansk delivered a thrilling day of racing on Poland’s Baltic coast, as Germany’s Marcel Bolbat and Switzerland’s Nina Derron claimed emphatic victories in the men’s and women’s professional races respectively.
Bolbat Battles to a New Course Record
The men’s race saw a fast start in the waters off Gdańsk’s city beach, with Louis Woodgate (GRE) emerging from the 1.9 km swim in 24:35, just ahead of local favourite Tomasz Brembor (POL) and Thomas Davis (GBR). Woodgate pushed hard on the bike, building a 50-second lead that stretched to more than two minutes by T2.
However, it was Marcel Bolbat who stole the show on the run. Staying composed and consistent over the 21.1 km, the German athlete steadily reeled in the leaders. By the 15 km mark, Bolbat made the decisive move, overtaking Woodgate and surging to the front in the final kilometres. He crossed the line in a blistering 3:44:03, setting a new course record in the process.
“The bike was so hard that I didn’t think when I started the run that I could hold the pace, but luckily, it worked,” said a visibly elated Bolbat after the race.
Woodgate held on for second in 3:46:46, while Norway’s Marius Bjerkeset rounded out the podium with a strong run to finish third in 3:47:56.
Derron Returns to the Top Step
In the women’s race, France’s Julie Iemmolo was the first out of the water in 27:00, closely shadowed by British duo Rosie Weston and Clair Hann. But it was Nina Derron who made her intentions clear on the bike leg. The Swiss athlete powered through the field, establishing a commanding lead heading into T2.
Iemmolo, despite losing her timing chip early in the bike, maintained her rhythm to hold onto second place. Meanwhile, Agnieszka Gadomska (POL) initially sat in podium contention, but was overtaken midway through the ride by Lara Rajteric (SLO) and Julia Skala (GER).
Derron remained in control on the run, holding off any challenge to secure the win in 4:15:41 — marking a triumphant return to the top step of the podium.
“It’s been a while since I won a race so I am very, very happy,” Derron said post-race. “On the bike I had a lot of fun — I was trying to catch up and just keep pushing the power.”
Behind her, Iemmolo held firm to take second in 4:18:45, while Skala closed the gap dramatically in the final kilometres, finishing just five seconds back in 4:18:50 to complete the podium.
