Mary Beth Ellis to race Challenge Denmark 2015
'Triathlon's Honey Badger' looking forward to super-fast bike course on the Jutland peninsula
Mary Beth Ellis, one of the toughest female athletes in long-distance triathlon, has signed up to race next year’s Challenge Denmark on June 13th, 2015.
“I am so excited to race Challenge Denmark,” she says. “I have been searching for a race in Denmark the last few years and have long desired to visit the country. As soon as I saw the Challenge Denmark race announced, I was sold!” says Mary Beth.
“The race not only offers a spectacular and exciting point-to-point course with incredible scenery but also promises to be super fast, “ she adds, referring to the flat bike course between the city Herning where the swim takes place, and the city of Billund where T2 is located. On a good day where the wind comes from north-west, the Challenge Denmark team promises one of the fastest bike courses ever seen.
“I can’t wait to test myself against a stellar female field and enjoy spending some time after the race in Denmark” says Mary Beth. “My husband, who races triathlons for fun, won’t miss this trip and is planning to race in the age group ranks as well to try to get his best time.”
Mary Beth – known as “Triathlon’s Honey Badger” due to her tenacity – has racked up eight Ironman wins since 2011, never finishing off the podium outside Kona. She suffered a broken collar bone in a bike crash in September 2013, and won silver on her comeback at this year’s Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne, then managing a top-ten finish at Kona despite severe leg cramp on the run.
Also racing in Denmark next June will be two-time Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack, who will be taking on the half-iron distance race.
(Image: Cervélo)
Are you racing Challenge Denmark? Let us know in the comments below!
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
