Top five most LEGENDARY Challenge Roth moments of all time

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, 2025 marks 41 years of triathlon history in this small German town with a BIG love of multisport.

As we count down to this year’s race, taking place on Sunday July 6, 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.

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 world fastest times set on this challenging – but lightning quick- course. Chrissie Wellington, Jan Frodeno and Daniela Ryf are all part of the record-breaking wall of fame from years gone by. And in 2024, it was another record year with Magnus Ditlev making it a ‘three-peat’ and beating his own record time in the process, finishing in 7:23:24. Home favourite Anne Haug also rewrote the record books – and also took her third title in Roth – with an incredible 08:02:38 finish time.

Potential for a historic women’s performance in 2025?

All eyes will be on Laura Philipp in 2025, as she looks to take her first ever win in Roth. The 2024 IRONMAN World Champion is fresh off the back of an astounding performance at IRONMAN Hamburg, where she came tantalisingly close to dipping under 8 hours. Given that race had long transitions and shin-deep torrential rain in the latter stages of the run, there’s a chance we could see history made at Challenge Roth 2025 and Philipp could become the first female athlete to post a sub-8 hour Iron distance finish time.

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 but mighty 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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Respect between legends

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.

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 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. Of course, he returned last year to make it a three-peat and beat his own record!

When is Challenge Roth 2025?

Challenge Roth is set to take place on Sunday 6 July 2025. Laura Philipp is pipped to take the crown in the women’s field, but this year’s the men’s race is wide open as three-time champ and current course record holder Magnus Ditlev lines up in Frankfurt the weekend before instead.