If you're looking for a challenging but unbelievably fun race, and you enjoy swimming, cycling, and running, then you should look into Challenge Roth. Actually... even if you don't swim-bike-run, now might be the perfect time to start!
When I crossed the finish line in Roth, Germany, I wasn't thinking about my finish time, the sacrifices it took to get there, or how much my body hurt. I was thinking about how grateful I felt for the opportunity to cross a finish line that, a year earlier, I wasn't sure my body would ever let me reach after a stubborn hamstring injury kept me from running for over a year. Add in a ridiculous pinky injury that kept me out of the water for five months, and just making it to the start line felt like a victory.
Imagine this: a beautiful 2.4-mile swim with no predators trying to eat you, 112 miles cycling through the rolling hills of the German countryside, and 26.2 pancake-flat miles that finish in a stadium packed with thousands of cheering spectators. Then, to top it all off, the night ends with an incredible performance and light show.
Challenge Roth is unlike any other full-distance triathlon in the world. More than 300,000 people come from all over Germany and beyond to cheer on athletes. They aren't just there to see the professionals; they read the names off race bibs and shout encouragement as all of the athletes pass. At one point, an entire town started singing "Sweet Caroline" as I rode by. Somewhere around that moment, I realized this race was every bit as magical as people had promised.
It wasn't all smooth sailing though. During the bike, race officials pulled me over and told me I was disqualified because of equipment on my bike. Thankfully, it turned out to be an easy fix, but for a few miles I was convinced my race was over. Then I reached Solar Hill, where thousands of spectators packed the famous climb, creating a tunnel of cheering fans. I forgot everything that had happened earlier in the day and actually found myself crying from excitement. It was one of those moments I'll never forget.
This race takes some planning. Registration sells out quickly, this year in 15 seconds, with more than 35,000 people trying to secure a spot at the same time. Fortunately, there's also a lottery, which is how I got in. Waiting until November to find out I'd been selected felt like forever, but it made standing on that start line even more special.
Big goals can feel intimidating, but with smart training and the right mindset, they become lasting memories and stepping stones to even bigger adventures. While swim, bike, and run training are obvious priorities, two other pieces can make all the difference: nutrition and strength training. Those are often what separate a good race from a great one.
That said, even the best plans don't always survive race day. Eleven hours into the race, I couldn't stomach any of my planned nutrition and had to rely on Coke to get me to the finish. It wasn't Plan A, but it got the job done. I kept singing to myself ("This is the way we fuel the race," to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush"), repeating positive thoughts, and reminding myself that with every step, I was one step closer to the finish line and that I was the only one who was going to get me there.
I firmly believe my time at MPT made me a stronger, more resilient athlete. The confidence you build in the gym doesn't stay in the gym. It carries over into every challenge you take on, whether that's a triathlon, a marathon, or simply proving to yourself that you're capable of more than you thought. You put in the work, and on race day, you trust your training.
If you have any interest in Challenge Roth or would like an introduction to triathlon, I'm always happy to chat. We have several beginner-friendly triathlons right here in Western North Carolina, and I'd love to help you cross your first finish line.
