Challenge Roth is widely regarded as one of the best full-distance triathlon races on the planet, perhaps only second to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.
Home to Tour de France-like crowds on the bike course and quite possibly the best finish line party going, 2024 will see this legendary race celebrate its 40th anniversary.
As we count down to this year’s race, taking place on Sunday July 7, we take a look back at how this iconic triathlon event came to life. And bring you our pick of the top five most epic Challenge Roth moments in years gone by – from the best head-to-head battles, to the multiple (!) record-breaking performances that have raised the bar for long-distance triathlon.
When did Challenge Roth start?
Whilst the first Challenge Roth took place in 2002, the history of the event actually dates back to 1984. Hawaii-inspired triathlon fever swept into Germany, and the first ‘Frankentriathlon’ in Roth was held with a 700m swim, 40km bike and 10km run. The name was inspired by the backdrop of the surrounding Franconian countryside.
Record-breaking performances
Four years later, the race was renamed IRONMAN Europe, with the race distances increasing to the traditional length of a full-distance triathlon, featuring a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run. It was at this first IRONMAN in Roth that a longstanding precedent of record-breaking Iron distance performances was set, as Axel Koenders finished in a time of 08:13:11.
One other line that might be worth adding to the record breaking performance bit (just prior to Paula Newby-Fraser part), is that Roth was also the first race that saw a women break nine hours for the full distance, as Thea Sybesma (NED) went 8:55:29 in 1991. For PNF, her two records were actually separated by 2 years (1992 and 1994), rather than in back-to-back years.
In the years that followed, history continued to be made at Roth. In 1991, Thea Sybesma (NED) became the first woman to break nine hours for a full distance triathlon – finishing in 08:55:29. Triathlon legend Paula Newby-Fraser then went on to set a new fastest time in 1992. And returned in 1994 to go even faster. In 1996, Lothar Leder became the first athlete to break 8 hours. And the following year, Luc van Lierde took things to another level – setting a time of 07:50:27 that would stand for 14 years. Since then we’ve seen multiple fastest times set on this challenging – but lightning fast – course. Chrissie Wellington, Jan Frodeno and most recently Magnus Ditlev and Daniela Ryf are all part of the record-breaking wall of fame.
Keeping it in the family
At the turn of the new millennium, the contract with the World Triathlon Corporation was terminated. In 2002, Herbert Walchshöfer founded the new “Quelle Challenge Roth”. Race HQ was set up in the family’s cellar, and unlike today’s online entry process which sees thousands of slots snapped up by athletes from around the world in 30 seconds flat. Athletes could submit an entry all year round, by picking up the phone, writing a letter or sending a fax.
After the sad passing of Herbert in 2007, his son Felix Walchshöfer continued the legacy and keeps the Roth party going to this date, along with his mother Alice (aka ‘Queen Mum’), sister Kathrin and a small team based in Roth.
Since its inception, Challenge Roth has only grown in popularity. Thousands of athletes clamour for a spot on the start line. And every year, fans in their droves line the streets to watch the action unfold.
Our top five legendary Challenge Roth moments
With so much history behind this iconic race, picking just five iconic moments is a challenge in its own right. Every year, fireworks are guaranteed not just at the finish line party in the purpose-built stadium. But out on the race course as the world’s best long-course triathletes blast up the iconic Solar Hill.
1997: Luc Van Lierde sets an astounding world record
First up in our time travel trip through Challenge Roth history has to be that astonishing fastest full-distance time set by Luc Van Lierde in 1997. Record-breaking history had already been set as a precedent at Challenge Roth in the years prior, including two records in a row for triathlon legend Paula Newby-Fraser. But in 1997, Belgian athlete van Lierde really raised the stakes with his astonishing 07:50:27 finishing time.
Time flies: An Instagram post from Van Lierde in 2022 reflecting on his 1997 world record.
The lightning fast time would stand as the Iron distance best for an incredible 14 years. Marino Vahoenacker bested it at IRONMAN Austria in 2011, with a finish time of 7:45:58. But that fastest time would only last for a week (!) when Andreas Raelert went even fastest at that year’s edition of Challenge Roth, finishing in 07:41:33.
2003: McCormack vs Leder – A battle for the ages
Flashback to 2003, and Lothar Leder arrived on the start line in Roth as a home favourite – having become the first man to break eight hours in a long distance triathlon at Challenge Roth in 1996. But Chris McCormack – then a rising star – soon had the former champion on the ropes after a crazy bike leg.
The pair were neck and neck. Near inseparable on the marathon course, they ran shoulder to shoulder. It would come down to the final stretch to decide who would take the crown. In front of a home crowd – hearts in their mouths – Leder sprinted to victory in the legendary Roth stadium. Taking the win by a handful of seconds.
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2011: Chrissie Wellington clinches three-peat and world record
Chrissie Wellington etched her name into the history books at Challenge Roth by taking the win – and the fastest Ironman distance time – three years in a row. In 2009, Wellington and Rebekah Keat made history – both finishing faster than the previous best set by Paula Newby-Fraser. In 2010, Chrissie blew the 2009 time out of the water, finishing in 08:19:13. And returned in 2011 to well and truly cement her status in triathlon folklore with another best time of 08:18:13, a mark which stood for 12 years.
Roth great Chrissie Wellington [Photo credit: Challenge Roth]
The four-time IRONMAN World Champion, who retired in 2012, also set a run course record in Roth of 2:44:35, an unbeatable mark which at the time could only be bested by one man, the aforementioned Raelert.
Wellington, who at the time of her retirement held the four fastest times ever recorded by a woman over the Ironman distance, will forever be considered as one of the best triathletes to have ever raced at Challenge Roth.
2016: Frodeno smashes world record in perfect season
2016 was a golden year for Jan Frodeno. As he took the tape at Challenge Roth, he set a new fastest Ironman distance time of 07:35:39.
Putting together a brilliant swim-bike, he backed it up with a 2:39:18 marathon in front of the adoring home crowds to take not only the win, but also Raelert’s previous best mark.
Jan Frodeno winning Challenge Roth in 2016. © Challenge Roth
Later that year, Frodeno would go on to win the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Making it a golden double, and a race season for the ages.
Jan returned to Roth in 2022 during the twilight of his exceptional career. But a fairytale ending with one last win in Roth wasn’t meant to be, and he had to pull up 3km into the marathon. Now retired from racing in the PRO ranks, Frodeno took to the other side of the fence in 2024 as a race commentator – yet another thing he excels at!
2023: Passing of the torch and a new GOAT in the making?
2023 was a year for the history books at Challenge Roth, as the mercury soared and world records once again tumbled.
The women’s race saw a stellar start list with Anne Haug, Laura Phillipp and Chelsea Sodaro all pipped as ones to watch. But it was Daniela Ryf who blazed brightest. Proving any doubters wrong, Ryf pulled off quite possibly the greatest performance of her extraordinary career. Exiting the water at the front of the race, she dominated from start to finish. Posting a 4:22:56 bike split and a 2:51:55 marathon to finish in a time of 08:08:21. That’s almost 10 minutes faster than the long-standing best set by Wellington back in 2011.
Daniela Ryf celebrates her amazing new record time [Photo credit: Challenge Roth]
In a fitting passing of the torch moment, Wellington stood on the finish line as the crowds roared Ryf to victory, the pair sharing an embrace. Speaking on the Talking Triathlon podcast, Chrissie later reflected: “It was such a privilege to be able to be there and witness such an incredible performance. I know Daniela and I know we use the term ‘greatest of all time’ quite a bit, but I really believe that it’s applicable to her.”
But Ryf’s performance wasn’t the only record breaker of the day. Taking to the start line to back up his win from 2022 was young Danish star, Magnus Ditlev. Having finished just shy of Jan Frodeno’s course best at the 2022 race, in 2023 Ditlev meant business. Breaking four hours on the bike (no mean feat considering the course has 1500m elevation gain) and running a 2:37:09 marathon, Ditlev destroyed the previous best set by Frodeno.
Magnus Ditlev celebrates another dominant win [Photo credit: Challenge Roth]
And if that wasn’t enough excitement. Patrick Lange also ran a 2:30:27 marathon – breaking the run course record. We can expect another blisteringly quick run split in 2024, as Lange seeks to break sub 2:30. And in the women’s race, a last minute addition of Anne Haug to the start list means the German star – who had a phenomenal start to the year obliterating the course record at IRONMAN Lanzarote – will be putting on another running masterclass. Grab the popcorn!
When is Challenge Roth 2024?
Challenge Roth is set to take place on Sunday 7 July 2024, with Anne Haug, Laura Phillipp, Magnus Ditlev and Patrick Lange just a few of the top names set to toe the start line.
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