Challenge Roth Pre-Race Festivities

Photographer Paul Phillips captures the smiles from the Challenge Roth pre-race swim, expo, and athlete dinner.

Photo: Competitive Image

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As professional and age-group athletes gear up for their big day at Challenge Roth 2016, excitement abounds. Photographer Paul Phillips captures the smiles from the pre-race preparations.

For more images from Challenge Roth, follow Phillips on Twitter: @CompImagePhoto.

Challenge — A group of Canadian Athletes traveled to Roth for their “Bucket List” race.

Challenge — Relaxed smiles at Friday’s swim practice, sponsored by Blue Seventy.

Challenge — It was a cool morning for the practice swim on Friday. Similar conditions are expected for Sunday.

Challenge — Talk about endurance: a Malaysian athlete had a 28 hour flight to come to Roth!

Challenge — 120 Israeli athletes from various clubs will be racing on Sunday. With 250 family members in tow, the athletes arrived on three chartered 737 jets for the race.

Challenge — 120 Israeli athletes from various clubs will be racing on Sunday. With 250 family members in tow, the athletes arrived on three chartered 737 jets for the race.

Challenge — Athletesperuse the Challenge Roth expo.

Challenge — On race day, the finish stadium will hold 5,000 fans, and will be filled and cheering from the champions’ finish until the final athlete. A fireworks spectacular is planned post-finish.

Challenge — On race day, the finish stadium will hold 5,000 fans, and will be filled and cheering from the champions’ finish until the final athlete. A fireworks spectacular is planned post-finish.

Challenge — The Challenge Roth expo in full swing.

Challenge — Athletes are all smiles at the Challenge Roth expo.

Challenge — As a diversion from race prep, you can always have a little game of table tennis.

Challenge — The Challenge Family festival surrounds the finish stadium in Roth.

Challenge — Challenge Family CEOs (from left) Alice, Kathrin and Felix Walchsoffer welcome athletes to Roth.

Challenge — An annual highlight of the event is the Friday night Pre-race pasta dinner. It gives athletes, teams and others to gather with several (thousand) of their closest friends.

Challenge — An annual highlight of the event is the Friday night Pre-race pasta dinner. It gives athletes, teams and others to gather with several (thousand) of their closest friends.

Challenge — Many of the Pros are introduced to the crowd at the Challenge Roth athlete dinner.

Challenge — The dinner also honored team directors, who work all year to be sure that each athlete has their best triathlon experience.

Challenge — Beverage sponsor Eridinger provides countless bottles of Alkoholfrei (nonalcoholic) beer.

Challenge — Following the Challenge Roth welcome dinner for athletes, Radio Bayern3 sponsors another party and concert in the Roth Marketplace.

Challenge — Following the Challenge Roth welcome dinner for athletes, Radio Bayern3 sponsors another party and concert in the Roth Marketplace.

Challenge — Roth is proud to tout “a great race with the best wurst!”

Challenge — Following the Challenge Roth welcome dinner for athletes, Radio Bayern3 sponsors another party and concert in the Roth Marketplace.

Challenge — Following the Challenge Roth welcome dinner for athletes, Radio Bayern3 sponsors another party and concert in the Roth Marketplace.

Challenge — An athlete poses with the Challenge logo ahead of race day.

Challenge — A reminder to competing racers – look up once in a while! Challenge Roth offers spectacular views of the Bavarian countryside.

Challenge — Safety is paramount for Challenge Family. Prior to the race, all media and race officials meet with their moto drivers to tour the course, stopping to discuss limitations for the event and other details.

Challenge — A reminder to competing racers – look up once in a while! Challenge Roth offers spectacular views of the Bavarian countryside.

Challenge — Any last minute needs or repairs can be handled at the triathlon shop near the start line.

Challenge — Sunday morning, this view of the start will include over 10,000 cheering fans.

Challenge — Camping near the start line of Challenge Roth is popular with both athletes and fans.

Roth16 — The final pre-race meeting with journalists and drivers. Key topic in the discussions was Jan Frodeno’s World Record quest. Emphasis was on a clean fair event and limiting the number of motos near the leaders and increasing the leading and passing distance by the motos.