In 1984, the first ‘Frankentriathlon’ took place in a small town in Bavaria. Inspired by the triathlon fever taking hold in Hawaii, this inaugural short distance triathlon marked the start of a long running history of triathlon finding its second home in Roth, Germany.
Now some 40 years later, speak to any triathlon nut and they’ll tell you that Challenge Roth is one of the ultimate bucket list races. Every long course triathlete wants to experience it. And those who’ve been lucky enough to stand on the start line (the race sells out in less than 60 seconds every year) can’t help but want to return.
But if you’re yet to fully tumble down the triathlon rabbit hole. You might be wondering what Challenge Roth is. And more importantly, what on earth all the fuss is about?
Come with us as we guide you through what makes this big race in a small town quite so special. Just be warned… you might just come away harbouring a dream of standing on the start line yourself next year!
What is Challenge Roth?
Challenge Roth is a full distance triathlon – sometimes known as an ‘Ironman distance’. 140.6 miles in total, it comprises a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon. Once upon a time an official IRONMAN branded race, these days Challenge Roth is run by Felix Walchshöfer – who took the race over from his late father, Herbert.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, Challenge Roth has reached legendary status on the triathlon race calendar. The unique atmosphere and years of history capturing the imagination of thousands of triathletes who dream of crossing the Roth finish line.
The history of Challenge Roth – how it started
It might be surprising to note that one of the most iconic long distance triathlons on the planet started life as a short distance event. In 1984, the first ‘Frankentriathlon’ (named after the surrounding Franconian countryside) comprised a 700m swim, a 40km bike and a 10km run.
4 years later, IRONMAN took the race over and the distances stepped up to the full 140.6 mile event. It ran under the M Dot banner until the turn of the new millennium, at which point the World Triathlon Corporation contract was terminated. Herbert Walchshöfer brought the new “Quelle Challenge Roth” to life in 2002 – and the rest is history. The race is still very much in the family, even after Herbert’s passing. His son Felix heads up TEAMCHALLENGE in Roth today, working alongside his mother (Alice aka ‘Queen Mum’) and his sister Kathrin.
Fastest times and epic battles – how it’s going
Over the last 40 years, Challenge Roth has set the stage for a huge number of triathlon’s most iconic moments. We saw Lothar Leder become the first athlete to go sub-8 hours for the 140.6 mile Iron distance in 1996. Multiple record-breaking times from the likes of Paula Newby-Fraser, Jan Frodeno and Chrissie Wellington. And most recently, a golden double in 2023 with Daniela Ryf demolishing Wellington’s 12 year-long course record by almost 10 minutes. Meanwhile Danish rising star Magnus Ditlev established himself as a potential GOAT of the future by smashing Jan Frodeno’s fastest Roth time.
As for the amateur field? These days tens of thousands of athletes from around the world frantically type as fast as their fingers will let them to try and get their name on the start list when entries are released each year. The equivalent of trying to get Glastonbury or Taylor Swift tickets for the swim-bike-run obsessed.
Why the ‘Tour de France of Triathlon’? What makes Challenge Roth so special?
Perhaps one of the most iconic scenes you’ll see coming out of Roth every June/July is the several-person deep crowds that line either side of a particular hill (Solar Hill) on the bike course at Challenge Roth. A tunnel of people, cheering and roaring. Almost engulfing the athletes in boundless energy as they make their way up the incline.
It’s a Tour de France-like sight, that captures the essence of this unique long distance triathlon. With fans out in their droves supporting elites and amateurs alike, there’s no spectacle quite like it.
Insane crowds
With that in mind, perhaps the most obvious thing that makes Challenge Roth such a special race is the sheer volume of triathlon fans who come out to support, year in and year out. The small community of Roth itself welcomes the triathlon community with open arms – many of them offering up their homes to visiting athletes.
But it’s not just the locals – fans from all over the place travel to Roth to see the action unfold. The result is quite a sight to behold. Even first thing in the morning, as the starting canon sounds every 5 minutes or so to set another wave of triathletes off on their journey. Either side of the canal, and the bridge that crosses over it, is packed out with people. In 2023, it’s estimated around 20,000 spectators were down at the swim start.
Along with the TDF-like scenes on Solar Hill, the bike course is rife with spectator hot spots with live music and pop up bars bringing the atmosphere. And once athletes hit the marathon course, the centre of Roth becomes one big party.
As far as spectator support goes – you’ll struggle to find a race quite like it. And what’s nice is that the support isn’t just for the PROs. Every amateur will find themselves experiencing the same wall of noise as they make their way up Solar Hill, and the same hero’s welcome as they make their way towards the finish line.
Stacked PRO fields
Over the years, Roth has seen many of triathlon’s greats take to the race course. Two-time IRONMAN Kona winner and multiple ITU World Champion, Chris McCormack who had an epic sprint finish in Roth with Lothar Leder in 2003. The ‘Queen of Kona’ Paula Newby-Fraser who won the title on the Big Island eight times in her career, and set multiple record times in Roth. Chrissie Wellington who alongside becoming a World Champion in Kona, took the win in Roth three years in a row – beating her own fastest time. The GOAT Jan Frodeno. Triathlon legend Daniela Ryf who holds the current Roth record, and rising star Magnus Ditlev who beat Frodeno’s fastest time in 2023. And that’s just a few of the many names we could list!
With so much history and heritage, Challenge Roth is a race that continues to draw the world’s best elites. Which makes for exciting racing as they battle to take the tape.
Spectacular finish line
When you’ve just completed 140.6 miles of swimming, cycling and running. Any finish line is going to look pretty glorious. But Challenge Roth have really taken things to a whole new level. Each year a week or so before the race, the team set about building an entire stadium to house the finish line.
Your final few hundred metres of the marathon course take you on a lap through the stadium, with rows of seats 10 deep all around filled with spectators. When it comes to that ‘goose bumps’ finish line moment – there’s nothing quite like it.
The ultimate post-race party
At Challenge Roth, once the final finisher has crossed the line an epic post-race celebration begins. The stadium – still packed out, despite the late hour – plays host to a spectacular laser show. Complete with fireworks and music, it’s a fitting end to an electric day.
Skip towards the end of the video below to get a hit of pure emotion as the final finisher crosses the line and the party gets started!
Inspired to race Challenge Roth? What you need to know
All of that captured your imagination? If reading about Challenge Roth has got the race firmly on your bucket list, here’s what you need to know.
It sells out – fast
If you want to race Challenge Roth, there’s no time to sleep on it. Once entries are released online (usually around a week after the event for the following year’s race) it really is a case of fastest fingers first.
For the 2024 race, places sold out in 40 seconds – with 3,500 individuals and 650 relay teams being lucky enough to get their names on the start list. If you want in, you’ve got to act fast. Though there are a few other ways to get a place on the start line.
The course is tougher than you might think
Given that Challenge Roth has set the stage for so many of the fastest times for the 140.6 mile distance, you might assume the course is going to give you an easy ride.
But don’t let the fast times fool you – the course at Challenge Roth is actually fairly hilly. The bike course features over 1500m of elevation gain, with constant rollers, a long drag up from Greding and a few short sharp kickers doing their best to beast your quad muscles.
The marathon course also features a long stretch alongside the canal on a gravel track, and a hill at around the 35km mark which will feel seriously tough if you’re not prepared for it.
Challenge Roth cut off times
While other Ironman distance events have varied cut off times – sometimes extending up to 17 hours to complete the full 140.6 mile race. Challenge Roth has a cut off time of 15 hours, if you’re competing as an individual. And 13 hours 50 minutes if you’re participating as a relay team.
That means for individuals you’ll need to be able to complete the swim within 2hrs 5 minutes of starting, and the bike within 9 hours 10 minutes of the gun going off. Leaving you with 5 hours 50 minutes to complete the marathon. Though of course, if you’re faster on the swim and the bike, you’ll have a bit more time to play with for the run!
Check out our top tips for the Challenge Roth bike course, and our recommendations of some of the best ROUVY routes and workouts to help you train if you’re eyeing up this magical full distance race for next year!
