The eight-hour mark will surely be under real threat in what could be another world-record-breaking women’s race at Challenge Roth this year.

That’s after the news that Britain’s Kat Matthews will take part in the legendary Bavarian showpiece for the first time – though she immediately said that winning is far more important than records.

She’s done both in IRONMAN racing recently, coming out on top in the Pro Series for each of the last two seasons, during which she’s set some of the fastest times ever seen in M-Dot races.

Another Kat v Laura epic?

Her 8:10:34 when winning IRONMAN Texas for the third successive year last season was the best ever at that point.

But then she went quicker still next time out with an 8:05:13 at IRONMAN Hamburg – and only finished second!

The victor that day was Germany’s Laura Philipp in 8:03:13 and she would go on to take a first Challenge Roth title a month later in dominant style.

Matthews and Philipp have already had some epic battles, most notably the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice in 2024 when the German just came out on top.

And with the expectation that Philipp will surely be back at Roth for a fourth straight year to defend her title, the two could again push each other to new heights.

Roth and record times

Roth has monopolised the fastest full-distance times for women. In 1991, Thea Sybesma became the first woman to break nine hours – 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.

But it was Chrissie Wellington’s time of 8:18:13 set at Roth in 2011 which really too things to new heights and that would stand an incredible 12 years before Daniela Ryf took nearly 10 minutes off it with her 8:08:21 in 2023.

Just a year later Anne Haug obliterated that with a 8:02:38 so the stage is set this year.

Matthews of course became the first women to go under the eight-hour mark at the Sub7Sub8 project back in 2022 but that wasn’t under normal race conditions.

‘Crossing the line first is what matters’

“The buzz around Roth is like no other race… I’m really excited to experience all this first hand,” said Matthews of her Roth debut.

And she put talk of records to one side when she said what matters is winning: “I’ve always wanted to race Roth, every athlete does, but what I really want is to win Roth. Records and splits are nice, but crossing the line first is what matters to me,”

For Matthews, Roth is also about soaking up the race week and breathing in the spirit of the triathlon district. She added: “If you see me at the venue, say hello. Meeting people is a huge reason to do an event like Roth.”

Race director Felix Walchshöfer is looking forward to the British athlete’s debut: “Kat not only has enormous talent, but also a great personality. We are proud that she is coming to Roth for the first time. I am sure that she will inspire the fans and the entire Home of Triathlon and will be able to fight for victory right from her debut.”