It’s back: the legendary Solarer Berg at Challenge Roth. This year, according to the company, the largest triathlon event in the world will again take place without restrictions. There is a top-class starting field.
At the world’s largest long-distance triathlon, the Challenge Roth, the crème de la crème of the world champions meet on Sunday: Jan Frodeno, Patrick Lange and Anne Haug are at the start. And that should also please triathlon fans: Bayerischer Rundfunk will broadcast the internationally renowned long-distance triathlon, the Challenge Roth, live on July 3 from 6:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on BR24Sport.de and on BR Fernsehen.
- BR24 Sport live: Triathlon Challenge Roth on Sunday from 6.15 a.m
“Hot as Fries Fat”
On the program on Sunday: 3.8 kilometers of swimming in the Main-Danube Canal, a two-lap bike course with a total of 180 kilometers and a marathon, i.e. 42 kilometers of running. With three active German world champions Jan Frodeno, Anne Haug and Patrick Lange , a top athlete field is at the start. All three are highly motivated.
“I’m hot as fries fat.” Participant Patrick Lange
Anne Haug at Challenge Roth 2021.
Aiming for a new world record
The Hawaii winner 2019 and Roth winner 2021, Franconian Anne Haug, is at the start in Roth for the 20th Challenge event. She is trying to beat the world record set by Chrissie Welltington in 2011 with 8:18:13. Jan Frodeno, the multiple world champion and Hawaii winner in 2015, celebrates his triathlon comeback on Sunday after a long injury. And two-time Hawaii winner Patrick Lange returns to the Home of Triathlon as reigning Roth Champion 2021.
He was also injured and had shoulder surgery four months ago after a wheel fall. “This starting field is unique in Europe this year – and that despite two Ironman World Championships,” says race director Felix Walchshöfer.
As many participants as before Corona
It’s going to be a long working day on Sunday, and not just for the pros. The age groupers want to get through it too: Almost 3,000 individual starters and around 600 relay teams from a total of 70 nations have to get through the long day. It will also be exhausting for the 7,500 volunteers who never tire of giving the athletes water, iso-drinks, bars, bananas and wet sponges to refresh themselves. And then – as before the pandemic break – around 250,000 spectators are expected along the route.
After Corona break without conditions
After two years, the long-distance race can take place without restrictions. “We’re celebrating 20 years of Challenge in Roth and finally the Solarer Berg and the many hotspots along the entire route are coming back,” explains Kathrin Walchshöfer-Helneder, Managing Director of Team Challenge. The Solarer Berg is considered the absolute highlight of the Rother bike course, almost as a trademark of the entire triathlon sport.
Top challenge weather announced
As usual, the weather seems to be fine for the Challenge Roth this year. It’s going to be hot but dry: midsummer temperatures of a predicted 31 degrees are a challenge for most athletes. It should be almost calm by noon. This is good for cycling and promises a fast race. The Main-Danube Canal, in which the triathletes swim 3.8 kilometers, currently has 23.6 degrees. That means the pros will probably compete without a wetsuit.
Challenge live on Bavarian Radio
The triathlon in Roth is not only something very special for the region, says Christoph Netzel, head of sports at Bayerischer Rundfunk. “We’re looking forward to the unique atmosphere in Roth, which we’re happy to take home,” said BR sports director Netzel. BR Fernsehen is broadcasting live from 6.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with a two-hour break from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the live stream, viewers can see the entire race from 6.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on BR24 Sport.
Fancy the Challenge Roth 2023
From midnight on Sunday, a large number of athletes will once again form a long line near the finish line on the stadium grounds in Roth. Do you want to secure a starting place for Challenge Roth 2023?