A historic triumph and thrilling title battles marked the world’s toughest duathlon on Sunday, as Germany’s Merle Brunnée won her fifth world title at the World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen, becoming the event’s most decorated champion. In the men’s race, France’s Émile Blondel-Hermant delivered a dominant win and a new course record, while the host nation endured a difficult day on home soil. In total, more than 700 athletes from 40 nations raced across all categories.
World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany attended this year’s championships and was deeply impressed by the atmosphere and the flawless organisation, officially naming Zofingen the ‘capital of duathlon.’
Conditions on the demanding course were ideal for racing. Warm temperatures, particularly in the afternoon, tested the athletes over the closing kilometres, drew large crowds along the route and helped produce a set of historic times.
Women’s race: a record fifth title for Brunnée
The women’s race (10km run, 150km bike, 30km run) turned into a thrilling title defence. A crash cost Merle Brunnée time early on, but she recovered smoothly, rebuilt her lead on the bike and pulled decisively clear of the international field.
She controlled the pace through the closing 30km run and crossed the line in 6:45:51, nearly seven minutes ahead of Great Britain’s Rachel Brown in second.
The result made Brunnée the outright record holder in Zofingen, with five world titles to her name.
‘The fact that I managed to win my fifth title and set the record all by myself feels absolutely surreal,’ said Brunnée, elated at the finish line.
Men’s race: Blondel-Hermant rewrites the record book
Émile Blondel-Hermant put on a true display of dominance in the men’s race. The Frenchman broke away from the field early and crossed the line in a course-record 5:50:30, eight minutes faster than the previous best and twelve minutes clear of Belgium’s Jonathan Wayaffe in second.
The win was Blondel-Hermant’s second Zofingen title since 2024, and it avenged a difficult 2025, when a mechanical failure forced him out of the race at the start of the bike leg. Baptiste Domanico of France, champion in 2025, completed the podium in third.
The host nation had a difficult day on its own course. Swiss co-favourite Jens-Michael Gossauer was forced to withdraw early, and Benjamin Ueltschi, hit harder still, was unable to start because of health issues.
