AN ATHLETE'S GUIDE TO CHALLENGE ROTH BY PODIUM FINISHER GRACE THEK
Quintana Roo pro Grace Thek has collected 25 podium results since 2018. In 2025, she arrived at Challenge Roth — her first full-distance event — and shocked the world with a runner-up finish on one of the grandest stages in the sport. Now, a consistent long-course threat, Thek gives us her tips for Challenge Roth as a former podium finisher.
Grace Thek: 2025 was my first time racing Challenge Roth, and it exceeded all my expectations! From the atmosphere, to the course, to the expo, to the finish line, and the community, there is no other race like it. There is a kind of magic at Challenge Roth that is hard to explain, so I highly recommend that any dedicated triathlete put it on their bucket list so they can experience it for themselves. Hopefully, these Challenge Roth tips help you on your journey to the finish line!
1. Roth Township & Community
A small town located in Bavaria, Germany, Roth is synonymous with triathlon, and the local community embraces the thousands of triathletes who arrive to race Challenge Roth. Many locals turn out to cheer from the sidelines, and some even take the week off work so they can volunteer with the setup! The buzz around Roth during race weekend is enough to get you hyped, if you aren’t already, especially when walking through the race expo. Ensure you give yourself enough time to wander and look at all the stalls.
Accommodation fills up fast. Challenge Roth has a long tradition of homestays for professional athletes, but options outside of those go quickly, so it is important to book early. There are several bordering towns with availability, and Nuremberg is around 35km away with plenty of hotel options. A rental car is strongly recommended. The swim start is outside of town, and while there are shuttles on race morning between Roth and the swim start (and back again after the finish), if you’re not staying in Roth itself, getting around the area without a car becomes a lot harder.
Training options in Roth:
Swim: there is a lovely 50m outdoor pool located in Roth, there is a local lake, as well as the course recon swim in the river on Friday morning (it is busy but worth doing for the vibes and to get familiar with the course).
Bike: There are plenty of smooth roads to ride, but the course is an easy option and doubles as recon! There are bike paths alongside many of the roads, which can be a good option if it is a little busier, especially where there is only 1 lane of traffic in each direction.
Run: I recommend running along the first part of the run course towards the canal and along the canal. Again, course recon! I do not recommend running the out-and-back to Buchenbach, as there is no footpath and only 1 lane in each direction for traffic, and it can get busy!
2. The Roth Course: Fast, Beautiful, and Memorable
Swim
The swim is a flat river swim. It is typically wetsuit-legal, though 2025 saw warmer water temperatures, and as a result, it was a non-wetsuit swim, so come prepared for both options. The swim start/T1 is located out of town but close to Solarberg Hill, which makes it convenient for family and friends who want to catch the start, T1, and Solarberg.
Bike
The bike is two laps through the rolling Bavarian countryside and small German towns, with the famous Solarberg climb as the centerpiece. Solarberg is everything you've heard: imagine the Tour de France, but for triathletes! It is impossible not to smile and enjoy this unique experience. The adrenaline and cheers are electric, so be sure to pace yourself.
The climb is a no-pass zone, so try to position yourself before it, then settle in and enjoy the cheers. What most people don't mention is that Solarberg is far from the only climb. The course has plenty of other rises, and the crowds are growing at those spots too. One moment that stood out for me: a long line of elderly residents from a local aged care facility, lined up in their wheelchairs along the race course, cheering athletes on. That's Roth.
One final note for the bike: at kilometers 2, 86.5, 171, there's a dam wall with some manhole covers that are notorious for ejecting bottles! It is only a short section, less than 50 meters, but worth knowing about to ensure your nutrition stays well secured!
Run
The run is flat and fast. It starts from Roth (T2) and heads out to the canal, where most of the run takes place. You’ll be running on a gravel trail that flanks the canal. It is nice and soft on the legs, but it is exposed, so conditions can be very hot. Ensure you make use of the aid stations to stay cool! Once you leave the canal, you’ll head back through Roth before doing the last out-and-back to Buchenbach.
While the course is relatively flat, there is a sneaky climb at approximately the 30km mark on this final out-and-back. It is a gradual one, but it can certainly feel the pinch in this later stage of the race. While there are minimal spectators on this climb, there is a DJ in the middle of the woods to keep you energized! Once you reach the top, you’re almost at the turnaround point, which is lined with spectators. After that, you’re back down the hill and en route to the epic finish line.
3. The Roth Finish Line
There is no better finish line than Challenge Roth. The stands are packed, the cheers are loud, and running into the Challenge Roth stadium after a full day of racing is something that will stay with you forever. The party continues well into the night, and once the final finisher comes across the line, there is a light show synced to music to end a truly wonderful day. Don't leave early. You won't want to miss the vibes!
4. The Full Roth Experience
When in Bavaria, do as the Bavarians do! A pretzel and a quality German beer are a must, whether that is pre or post-race!
If you want to experience the best triathlon in the world, I truly believe that this is it! Put it on your bucket list. But beware: if you do it once, you’ll want to come back for more! Good luck to all the athletes racing this year, and for those who want to sign up, be quick! It sells out in less than seconds!!
