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While most of the international triathlon community will have eyes on this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Triathlon, a little less than 4,000 miles away athletes will competing in one of the hardest triathlons in the world at Ironman China. Last year’s race was so difficult that neither of the champions will be back to defend at what many have called the hardest Ironman in the world.
Denmark’s Rasmus Henning used the race to qualify for last year’s Ironman World Championship. Thanks to a top-five finish in Kona, Henning does not have to re-qualify this year and has chosen to race in Abu Dhabi instead. On the women’s side, Australia’s Charlotte Paul has decided not to defend.
The favorite for the men will undoubtedly be Australia’s Chris McCormack. This will be McCormack’s first attempt at the Ironman distance since his fourth place finish in Kona last October. McCormack is, however, known for struggling in the heat and humidity and Ironman China is plagued with these conditions. Names like Chris McDonald (AUS), Jozsef Major (HUN), Hiroyuki Nishiuchi (JPN), Justin Granger (AUS), Luke McKenzie (AUS) and Tim Marr (USA) could challenge for the title if McCormack struggles.
Like the men’s race, the women’s race will come down to who can best handle the heat. Top participants on the women’s side include Americans Heather Gollnick and Amy Marsh and the Netherlands’ Nicole Leder.
Men’s Lineup
Alejandro Santamaria (ESP)
Chris Mccormack (AUS)
Chris Mcdonald (AUS)
Eneko Elosegui (ESP)
Hiroyuki Nishiuchi (JPN)
Jens Groenbek (DNK)
Jozsef Major (HUN)
Justin Granger (AUS)
Lothar Leder (DEU)
Markus Ressler (AUT)
Mike Schifferle (CHE)
Raimo Raudsepp (EST)
Rudolf Cogan (CZE)
Ryan Decook (USA)
Shingo Tani (JPN)
Timothy Marr (USA)
Luke Mckenzie (AUS)
Brandon Marsh (USA)
Markus Fachbach (GER)
Mathieu O’Halloran (CAN)
Women’s Lineup
Amy Simonetta (USA)
Heidi Jesberger (DEU)
Janelle Morrison (CAN)
Jocelyn Wong (USA)
Maki Nishiuchi (JPN)
Miranda Alldritt (CAN)
Nicole Leder (DEU)
Amy Marsh (USA)
Heather Gollnick (USA)