CHALLENGE ROTH: THE BIGGEST TRIATHLON IN THE WORLD
Author: Braden Currie
Photo: Markus Berger
180km bike | 3.8km swim | 42.2km marathon
Race-start: 4:30pm NZT, Sunday 7th July.
Live stream the race here.
There is no-where else in the world where a triathlete will be cheered on by up to 260,000 spectators, lining the roadsides from start to finish.
With a one to fifty ratio of athletes to spectators, Challenge Roth is the biggest and coveted triathlon in the world and a race that I’ve always had on my bucket list .The energy of this event for an athlete is second to none and a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’ve always wanted to experience. This will definitely be the ultimate race for me in terms of spectator support. I really enjoy that kind of stimulation around me, as long as I keep it in check and don’t over-do myself, this is a new sensory factor that will push me that little bit harder.
Photo: Markus Berger
It’s been a ‘relatively quick 4-week turnaround’ after taking the win at Ironman Asia-Pacific in Cairns last month. Since then, my family and I have been based in Fuschl, Austria preparing for Challenge Roth.
Austria is incredible. The ability for my kids and wife Sally to have a great base and to feel part of a small community has been second to none all whilst the training facilities are world class, including some of the best cycling I have ever experienced and a lakeside 25metre stainless steel pool with an onsite gym. Fuschl is is the door step to endless trail running and the people and culture have made the experience unforgettable for my family and I.
It meant that I was excited about getting out and ticking the training over even on tired legs after traveling and racing Ironman. We’ve been lucky enough to base ourselves at Hotel Mohrenwirt and we will definitely be back! I’ve been to a lot of places and normally it can take weeks to figure out a new place, find the good rides and runs and work out how to piece it all together. Here, we turned up and that day I was out riding and the next morning I was in the pool at 8 am. It makes a big difference when you’re travelling as a triathlete and takes out the down time that you would normally expect when you turn up in a new location. Training has been going really well and I’m looking forward to the race this Sunday.
Photo: Markus Berger
I’m happy with the results of 2019 so far. I’m feeling really good about my ability to tolerate a lot of the big surges and numbers that you need in the sport now. You can’t just go out there and free wheel around a 180 km course – or expect to be sitting in a group. There’s going to be people attacking that bike all day. Racing at this level, you have to be able to ride with these guys or at least not lose too much time to put yourself in a good position for the run.
Photo: Markus Berger
The biggest achievement for me would be the consistency I have been able to achieve in my training.
The beauty of having this foundation behind me is that I know that if I plan the year well and I’m feeling good, that I’ll be there, in the mix. If I have a blinder of a day, I’ll be on the podium or at the top I’ve managed to figure out that balance and that means from now on I know if I do the basics well then that’s the results I’ll get. Then if we find something and add an element that could give me a little bit more that could be the difference between top 5 or world champ position.
My main focus is still Ironman World Champs in October, but Challenge Roth has provided a great opportunity to get to Europe and race. I feel really lucky to have this opportunity and intend to make the most of it.
Video credit: Roy Schott