DATEV Challenge Roth 2025 - Sports Highlights

On Sunday, July 6th, the world’s biggest long-distance triathlon – the DATEV Challenge Roth 2025 – took place in Roth, Bavaria, near Nuremberg, a region that has been a home to triathlon for over 40 years. More than 5,000 athletes lined up at the start to take on the classic triathlon long-distance format: 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon run through the Roth district. Around 300,000 enthusiastic spectators lined the course, creating an electric atmosphere and cheering the athletes on.

For the first time in the event’s history, wetsuits were banned due to high water temperatures of 25.3°C, making it significantly harder to post fast swim times.

In the men’s race, Sam Laidlow (FRA), the reigning Ironman World Champion from 2023, crossed the finish line first in 7:29:25, becoming the first Frenchman ever to win Challenge Roth.

Jonas Schomburg (GER) set the pace early, emerging from the water as the fastest swimmer and taking the lead and leading all-way long through the bike race. He was overtaken halfway through the marathon by Laidlow and ultimately finished second with a strong time of 7:31:24.

Germany’s Jan Stratmann claimed his first podium finish at Challenge Roth, clocking 7:37:59, after narrowly missing out last year with a frustrating fourth-place finish.

In the women’s race, current Ironman World Champion Laura Philipp (GER) delivered a commanding performance, winning Challenge Roth 2025 in a time of 8:18:18.

She took the lead just before the bike-to-run transition and steadily extended it all the way to the finish line.

Australia’s Grace Thek crossed the line 19 minutes and 21 seconds later (8:37:39) to secure second place.

Switzerland’s Alanis Siffert set a blistering pace from the start and held the lead for much of the race. However, the high tempo took its toll during the run, and she eventually dropped back—but still managed to claim a well-earned third place in 8:41:41.