Outside

Events

2017 Challenge Roth Pre-Race Action

We're just over 24 hours away from the 2017 Challenge Roth triathlon.

For access to all of our training, gear, and race coverage, plus exclusive training plans, FinisherPix photos, event discounts, and GPS apps, sign up for Outside+.

2017 — Challenge Roth CEO Felix Walchshoefer welcomes the media and athletes to the 2017 Challenge Roth triathlon. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Nils Frommold, the 2015 winner, is looking to repeat his top finish again in 2017. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — German triathlete and 2014 Challenge Roth winner Timo Bracht will be racing his final long distance race on Sunday. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone, a training partner of Jan Frodeno, is one of the favorites in Roth this year. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — All eyes will be on two-time reigning Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf as she tries to break Chrissie Wellington’s iron distance world record of 8:18:13. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — What will Ryf be facing on Sunday? Read our analysis here. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The Netherlands’ Yvonne Van Vlerken will race her 10th Challenge Roth this weekend. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Canadian Heather Wurtele is racing Roth for the first time. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Fireman Rob Verhelst has returned to Challenge Roth and will run the marathon in his full firefighter gear. Learn more about his cause here. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Felix Walchshoefer, Nils Frommhold, Daniela Ryf and Timo Bracht. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Felix Walchshoefer, Rob Verhelst and Katrin Walchshoefer-Helneder. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — CEO of Challenge Family Zibi Szlufcik is ready for an all-out effort for the race weekend. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — ID’s are check and gear bags handed out at athlete check in. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The swim start is prepared and ready for the athletes to roll in on Sunday morning. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — 2016 champion (and iron-distance world record holder) Jan Fordeno led an 8K run on Saturday morning along the swim canal. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Although a few hundred said they came to run with Jan, most were interested in autographs and selfies with the two-time Ironman world champion. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Selfie! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Three-time Roth champion Chrissie Wellington was on hand to announce details of the 2018 Collins Cup that will be held as part of Challenge Roth on July 1, 2018. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Felix Walchshoefer provides a brief overview of how The Collins Cup will be integrated into race day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Three Teams: European, U.S. and International will each be represented by six male and six female athletes each. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Organizers and team captains. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The 2017 Challenge Roth expo is a park-like environment just outside of the finish stadium. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The 2017 Challenge Roth expo is a park-like environment just outside of the finish stadium. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The stadium awaits the crowds and the athletes. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Of course there is Challenge Coffee available. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Jan Frodeno, Emma (Snowsill) Frodeno and Simon Whitfield are all on hand. All three are Olympic gold medalists! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Felix hamming it up with British pro Laura Siddall. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The pasta party is a great pre-race celebration with 2,000 close friends. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The pros in attendance at the pasta party are introduced to the crowd. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The new two-lap run course will have the Roth Church steeple in site for much of the run, giving athletes something to aim at. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The pasta party is for the athletes, but there is a party filling the market square where the town comes out to celebrate Challenge Roth. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

We’re just over 24 hours away from the 2017 Challenge Roth triathlon. Will Daniela Ryf break Chrissie Wellington’s iron-distance world record? How will the new marathon course affect the course’s speed? Who will claim the men’s title? We’ll find out soon! Enjoy these pre-race photos from photographer Paul Phillips.

The Best Pro Performances of 2022

Who Is Ironman World Champion Patrick Lange?

Last Weekend Now: The Kona/Nice Conundrum