Challenge Roth Triathlon, Bavaria

Challenge Roth is an ironman-distance triathlon held around the town of Roth in Bavaria in in early July each year. Running since 1984, the race will be in its 35th year in 2018 and it is one of the largest of its kind in the world. This year there will be approximately 3400 individual participants and some 650 relay teams, with competitors coming from around 75 countries around the world. It is a very well supported event and known for its friendly character.

The course is the standard iron distance of 3.8 kilometres of swimming - up and back along the Main-Danube Canal, through the town of Hilpoltstein - followed by 180km miles of cycling, which returns to Roth for the final transition into a marathon (42.2km), some of which runs along the same canal. It is considered a fast course and the support of the estimated 250,000 spectators is unrivalled. The finish line is in purpose built stadium in the centre of Roth.

At the front of the field, Challenge Roth is extremely competitive, with some competitors finishing the 226km course in less than 8 hours. However there is plenty of depth as the event opens itself to all ages.

Sponsored by Datev, Challenge Roth is not an official Ironman event (the name is trade-marked by WTC, World Triathlon Corporation), but of course the distances are the same as an Ironman triathlon. For more information, see the Challenge Roth website.

In 2018, A Life of Adventure will be following several contestants as they prepare and partake in the race. See here for an interview with experienced 60+ competitor Ric Cooper. And to follow the training and mis-adventures of six British entrants into see the Roth Journal.