Race Previews

Ruther Hat Deutschland..

Thursday, 02 July 2015 00:10

IRONMAN FRANKFORT - Next Sunday, Ruth Brennan Morrey will face what is arguably the deepest women's field of her young pro career (though St. George's field was similarly awesome) at the European Ironman Championship in Frankfort, Germany. The prize purse is $150,000 and pays 10-deep. Despite the depth of field, we believe that Ruther will come back with a check in her pocket. In fact, we think she'll make at least five grand. And yes, she has a shot at a podium spot, though a 4th or 5th seems more likely.

Here's the prize breakdown: !. - $30,000, 2. $15,000, 3. $8000, 4. - $6,500, 5. - $5000, 6. - $3500, 7. - $2500, 8. $2000, 9. - $1500, 10. - $1000.

If you've been following women's IM racing in the last few years, you'll probably agree that Switzerland's Daniela Ryf is the woman to beat. The 2014 70.3 World Champion won two IMs in 2014 and finished 2nd at Kona. Not bad for her first season doing 140.6s. Her PR is 8:53, but many of her peers think she's got what it takes to become the next Chrissie Wellington, if that is possible.

We won't bet against Ryf on Sunday.

Other podium contenders include three-time Franfort champ Caroline Steffen, also of Switzerland, who has more sub-9s than anyone else in the field, Julia Gajer of German (PR - 8:51), and Denmark's Michelle Vesterby (PR - 8:57)...

Europe is known for its fast IM courses, where sub-8s are expected of the men, and several women crack 9-hours. Roth, Klagenfurt, Almere and Frankfort are examples. The fastest US woman ever at Frankfort is Elizabeth Lyles, who placed 2nd last year in 8:56:36. We think that Ruther has what it takes to match or better that time. She'll need her best swim split, hard tires, a cooperative body and her signature fast run, this time in the 2:50-2:55 range, to make it happen.

We think she can do it. And we cannot wait for race day so we can follow her progress online. We hope her post-race celebration includes one of those tall pebbly mugs of beer and a humongous schnitzeldruben.

EUROPEAN IRONMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - FRANKFORT - Women's Start List: