Challenge Roth to Feature a Relay Full of Legends
Challenge Roth organizers have revealed that Sunday's race will feature an all-star relay.
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Challenge Roth organizers have revealed that Sunday’s race will feature an all-star relay that includes two-time Olympic medalist Simon Whitfield, four-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington, superstar swimmer Dylan McNeice and 11-time Ironman winner Lisa Bentley.
McNeice will kick off the action with the swim, followed by Whitfield for a portion of the bike course, Bentley for the rest of the bike course and then Wellington will complete the entire marathon. Whitfield, Wellington and Bentley are all captains for the upcoming Collins Cup.
“I was going to be in Europe and it was a good opportunity to make the trip to Roth to see some of the potential International members of the 2018 Collins Cup team,” Whitfield says of the trip to Roth. “And then I heard that Chrissie was going to be there and was interested in running in the relay, and I thought, ‘it would be great fun to lace up the cycle shoes and join up with Chrissie Wellington.’”
Wellington will be running the marathon just over a month after completing her first ultra-marathon at the 52.6-mile Heineken Race to the Tower.
“The relays are one of the things I love about Challenge Roth,” Wellington said. “I am thrilled to join Simon Whitfield, Lisa Bentley and Dylan McNiece in a relay. While Simon and Lisa are rival Collins Cup Captains, it will be fantastic fun for all of us to celebrate the sport with the Roth participants and fans.”
Wellington will be participating in the relay as two-time Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf will be attempting to break her world record for fastest iron-distance race. Wellington posted the current record of 8:18:13 at the 2011 Challenge Roth race.