A football world champion for Roth
First long-distance triathlon for international footballer / ‘Wants to leave nothing in the tank’
None other than football world champion André Schürrle is taking on the challenge of competing in the world's largest long-distance triathlon on 6 July 2025.
The former professional footballer, who went down in the history books with his legendary assist in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, has dedicated himself intensively to endurance and extreme sports following his active football career. Last year, he ran the Berlin Marathon, completed a SwimRun and regularly challenges himself with extreme mountain climbing.
Schürrle's goal: ‘Empty the tank’
With his start at DATEV Challenge Roth 2025, he is now setting a new major highlight in his sporting career.
The 34-year-old wants to push himself to his limits: ‘I'm taking part because I'm looking for challenges that will push me to the absolute limit; mentally, but also physically, to really get to know my limits, to get to know myself. My goals are: To do my best, be there, go full throttle and ‘Empty the tank’ - to leave nothing in the tank on the day.’
Race director, Felix Walchshöfer, is looking forward to the famous participant: ‘I am sure the entire Roth triathlon district will give André a warm welcome. We are delighted André Schürrle, a global football icon, has chosen Roth for his long-distance race. His participation will certainly inspire not only the triathlon world, but also many football fans. We look forward to seeing him on the start line.’
Before long-distance triathlon was football
André Schürrle is one of the most famous names in German football. He made himself immortal with his legendary assist in the 2014 World Cup final, which set up the decisive goal against Argentina. He played a total of 57 international matches for the German national team, scoring 22 goals. During his successful club career, he played for FSV Mainz 05, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea FC, VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund, among others. His greatest successes include winning the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015 and the DFB Cup with Borussia Dortmund in 2017. After retiring from professional football in 2020, Schürrle embarked on a new path and dedicated himself to endurance sports and personal development.
At DATEV Challenge Roth, around 3,500 individual starters and 700 relay teams fulfil their triathlon dreams every year. The district of Roth stands for the sport like no other. The sports festival in the triathlon stronghold has been home to triathletes from all over the world since 1984. Year after year, 7,500 volunteers and hundreds of thousands of supporters provide that goosebump feeling.
André Schürrle's participation will add another facet to the 2025 race that is sure to delight fans from a wide range of sports.