History of the Triathlon in Roth
If you like, we were pioneers of the home office back in the early 2000s - we simply didn't have an office at that time from which we could have organised the race. That's why the "royal cellar" (Queen Mum Alice's cellar) had to serve as Challenge headquarters from the end of 2001 for the race organisation. Despite the most modern technology, the topic of digitalisation was still new territory for all of us at that time.
The registration process was a bit different from what we are used to today; the 2,000 or so athletes from the first Challenge will remember; athletes could register with us all year round by letter, phone call or the good old fax in order to start in July. After the first contact, we sent an entry form by post to those interested. This form had to be filled out and, along with a photo and the bank transfer confirmation, sent back to us. At check-in during race week, our athlete service team checked everything again. If everything was in order, nothing stood in the way of the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and the marathon at the end.
You could be as fast as you wanted over the distance - but after the event you needed a bit more patience than today until you got your official result certified. Pictures of the race as well as the official certificates, which our partner Marathon-Photos made available immediately after the race, were also sent by post. Considering the amount of people involved, it was understandable that it took a few weeks until the athlete in New Zealand could also hold her certificate in her hands.
Triathlon in Roth since 1984
The first Challenge Roth took place in 2002. But the roots of triathlon in Roth go back much further. In 1984, triathlon fever swept into Roth at the first "Frankentriathlon" with a 700m swim, 40km bike and 10km run. In 1988, Ironman Europe celebrated its premiere - as today over the full 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run. In the 90s, triathlon in Roth established itself as an institution in the district and in the sports calendar. The euphoria was already tangible in the last century, even then hundreds of thousands of fans lined the course, world best times were regularly beaten, the triathlon district of Roth literally lived and breathed this sport, even in the early days.
And what about Challenge Family now?
Ironman Europe became Challenge Roth. Due to unacceptable organisational and financial demands, the contract with World Triathlon Corporation was terminated at the beginning of the new millennium. In 2002, Herbert Walchshöfer pioneered a new start after giving back the Ironman brand in 2001 - and founded the new "Quelle Challenge Roth".
The premiere on 14 July 2002 was an immediate success - and a highly convincing one: "Roth remains Roth", the newspapers championed, and "fans remain loyal to their triathlon".
After more successful events, the second race of the series followed in 2007 in Wanaka, New Zealand. From Roth, the expansion of the Challenge brand began, which after the tragic death of founder Herbert Walchshöfer, was initially divided between his widow Alice and Felix and Kathrin.
After the expansion of the series to over 35 events, we withdrew from the management of Challenge Family in 2015. Since then, we have been taking care of the triathlon classic in Roth as TEAMCHALLENGE exclusively with a small team and a lot of heart and soul.
Meanwhile, Challenge Family, based in Almere in the Netherlands, organises over 35 races around the globe. Of course, we are in regular contact with our colleagues in the series, such as attending the annual race director meeting. It is also important for us to exchange information with representatives of the Professional Triathletes Organisation, Ironman Germany, with whom we talk every year to avoid scheduling conflicts, and many independent races - all with the aim of making the race and the sport of triathlon better for fans, athletes and volunteers every year.
Our volunteers - always world class!
A lot has changed in triathlon and in Roth. Some things that used to be normal are now hard to imagine. Courses have been adapted, techniques have changed and last but not least corona has shaken things up.
What has remained the same is the enthusiasm of the many volunteers and the passion and warmth of the entire Roth triathlon district. We are particularly proud of this and extremely grateful. Because without this, triathlon in Roth would not be possible.