Challenge Roth sits firmly atop many triathlete’s bucket lists. But getting a spot on the start line isn’t as easy as simply deciding you want to race and entering at your leisure. Because this long distance triathlon has a tendency to sell out within seconds of entries going live.
If you want to race Challenge Roth, you’ve got to be clued up on the ways to get an entry. We talk you through how to enter this iconic Iron distance race.
Fastest fingers – online entry information for Challenge Roth 2026
Unless you’re local to Roth, or you’ve got a deferred entry from a previous year. General entries for Challenge Roth open up a week after the race has come to a conclusion.
For Challenge Roth 2026, online entries will go live on Monday 14 July 2025 at 10am CET (9am BST / 4am EST). Last year, entries for the 2025 edition sold out in 32 seconds – so you’ve got to act fast!
Initially it’s just a pre-registration, where you enter your name, surname, date of birth, nationality and your e-mail address. Slots are then allocated in order of registration, with each person who successfully nabbed a spot getting a confirmation e-mail within 24 hours with a registration code.
You have to complete your full registration using the code by July 20 2025.
Top tips for getting an online entry
It really does come down to fastest fingers, so the main tip to get an online entry for Challenge Roth is type fast!
Use a laptop or a desktop computer, rather than your phone – it’s easier to type faster. Make sure you’ve got a stable internet connection, and be ready and waiting before 10am CET so you don’t miss the registration window. Cancel those meetings, put your phone on silent. If you want that Roth spot, you’ve got to stay focused.
With all that fast typing, do make sure you put your e-mail address in correctly though. You’ll need the code that will be emailed to you to be able to get your registration code, if you’re successful.
Enter in person the morning after the race in Roth
If you don’t fancy risking your chances in the online entry. You can join the dedicated individuals who queue up for hours the morning after Challenge Roth each year. It’s a good excuse to go and watch this year’s race in person and be part of the spectacular crowds that line the course.
To race Challenge Roth 2026, you’d need to be in line at the Triathlon Park in Roth on Monday 7 July 2024 ready for when the limited number of entries go on sale in person at 9am (CET).
The in-person entries are on a first come, first served basis. And every year hundreds of people arrive hours beforehand to get in line. There’s even been tales of people camping out overnight to make sure they’ve got a chance of getting a spot!
Late entry draw – raffle
If you don’t manage to get a Challenge Roth spot during that initial general entry draw – all hope isn’t lost. Since 2024, Roth have introduced a late entry draw which is essentially a raffle. For the 2025 race, 600 individual entries and 25 relay entries were allocated to the draw. Tickets cost 10 euros, and half of that goes to charity (the other 5 euros is used to cover transaction fees on the registration platform).
Unlike the general entry, the late entry draw isn’t a first come, first served scenario. Entries will be drawn at random, so it’s quite literally luck of the draw! You can increase your chances though – you’re allowed to buy as many tickets as you like between 14 July – 2 November 2025. The draw will take place on 4 November 2025 and those who get a slot will receive an email right away with an entry link.
It’s worth noting that, regardless of how many tickets you buy, if you’re lucky in the draw you can only get 1 Challenge Roth slot – and it’s for you only, no transfers will be allowed.
Can I defer my Challenge Roth place or get a refund?
If you’ve been lucky enough to get a spot for Challenge Roth, chances are you’re going to want to use it! But we all know that life – and injuries – can happen. If you do find yourself in the unfortunate position of not being able to line up for Challenge Roth 2026, the good news is the team at Roth have a really great cancellation/deferral policy. Even if you pull out the day before the race, you still get some of your entry fee back – which is pretty rare!
How it works
If you have to cancel your Roth entry, you’ll be deregistered from the 2026 race and you’ll automatically get the opportunity to take up a starting spot in the 2027 event. The % of your entry fee you’ll get back depends on how close to race day you have to pull out. This can be subject to change, but for reference here’s how it worked ahead of this year’s race:
- Cancel before October the year before the race: 90% refund
- Cancel before January the year of the race: 80% refund
- Cancel before May the year of the race: 70% refund
- Cancel by 12 noon the day before the race: 60% refund
Find out more about why Challenge Roth is such an iconic event on the triathlon race calendar, and tap here to bookmark the registration link!
