TVG Kaiserau comes up trumps: Triathlon quartet masters Challenge Roth!

TVG Kaiserau comes up trumps: Triathlon quartet masters Challenge Roth!

The fascination of triathlon is captivating more and more active people, and this year's event in Roth, Franconia, was no exception. The legendary DATEV Challenge Roth took place on July 6, 2025, which was once again a highlight of the triathlon season with over 3,500 participants. The event, which has been held in Roth since 1984, is not only considered the “Home of Triathlon”, but also one of the most renowned long-distance events in the world. The distances of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and a marathon run are a real challenge for the athletes, which they master with a lot of enthusiasm and support from the numerous spectators.

Particular attention was paid to the athletes from TVG Kaiserau, who were well represented with four participants. Daniel Marx, Lukas Eckhoff, Christoph Wehner and Jannick Niessner went into the water under the best conditions, but for the first time without a wetsuit because of the high water temperatures. The spectators gave the triathlon quartet from North Rhine-Westphalia a lot of applause as they threw themselves into the race. The swimming times ranged from Jannick Niessner's 1:11 hours to Christoph Wehner's 1:44 hours.

Strong performances on the bike course

The cycling took place in two exciting laps, during which the athletes were cheered on by tens of thousands of fans. Here Lukas Eckhoff was able to shine with a new personal best time of 4:52 hours. Jannick Niessner followed him with 4:56 hours. Daniel Marx and Christoph Wehner fought their way through the route in 5:04 hours and 5:46 hours. These impressive times reflected the athletes' tireless efforts, but the toughest challenge still awaited them in the marathon.

The final marathon route showed how much the competition demanded of the athletes. Eckhoff reached the finish in 9:46 hours – a new personal best. Niessner, who returned to his competition after a forced break due to fever, also finished in 9:48 hours. The spectators were happy about Daniel Marx as he ran to the finish together with his daughter and needed 10:16 hours. Christoph Wehner took 13 hours despite walking breaks, which shows his unshakable will. At the end, all participants received a medal recognizing their efforts.

Laura Philipp sets new standards

The reigning Ironman world champion Laura Philipp will also be competing at the Challenge Roth again in 2025. She has an illustrious history at Roth, where she has placed third and second in the last two years. Last year she set one of the fastest long-distance speeds for women with a time of 8:14:13 hours and won the Ironman World Championship in Nice 2024 in a remarkable 8:45:15 hours. Race director Felix Walchshöfer is impressed by Philipp's development and emphasizes that she knows the route in Roth well - including the legendary atmosphere at Solarer Berg.

In addition to Philipp, there are other strong athletes on the list, such as two-time runners-up Fenella Langridge and Nikki Bartlett. There is great anticipation for next year, as Roth remains an integral part of the triathlon calendar and is enjoying increasing popularity. After all, these events bring the community together and show what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.

The TAG will certainly remain an unforgettable experience for triathlon fans and athletes. The best on the courses, the founding history of triathlon and the impressive numbers behind this sport show how vibrant and diverse the world of triathlon is. From the first competitions in Germany in the 1980s to the more than 600 events a year today - triathlon has found its place in the hearts of many and remains a challenge for athletes of all ages.

Find out more about the great achievements at Challenge Roth Sport Kreis Unna, the impressive story of Laura Philipp [Challenge Roth].