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How to watch Challenge Roth

Don't miss this one! Lucy Charles and Laura Philipp go head-to-head in Roth, and six of the top ten male athletes at the 2018 Ironman World Championship battle for three podium spots.

On July 7th, for the first time in more than 35 years of triathlon in Roth, the iconic race will be broadcast live in its entirety on Sunday 7 July on Bavarian TV. If you don’t have access to Bavarian TV – most of us residing in North America – the race will also be streamed in its entirety on the Challenge Roth website or their Facebook page. Coverage will begin at 12:00 AM ET (9:00 PM PT July 6th).

Sebastian Kienle takes the win at Challenge Roth in 2018.

This year, once again a stacked pro field has been assembled, combined with 3,400 age group athletes and 650 relay teams. Six of the top ten male athletes at the 2018 Ironman World Championship will toe the line in Roth, along with some of the best female athletes in the world.

On the men’s side, Bart Aernouts, David McNamee, Braden Currie, Matt Russell, Andy Potts and Cameron Wurf are all expected to race the Challenge Family full-distance race in Roth on July 7th. Unfortunately, Canadian Cody Beals was forced to withdraw from the event to take care of a lingering Achilles injury and prepare for his title defence at Ironman Mont-Tremblant in August.

Cam Wurf set the bike course record at the 2018 Ironman World Championship.

On the women’s side, anticipation his building for a showdown between Lucy Charles and Laura Philipp. Charles is a name that needs no introduction. She is a two-time second-place finisher at Kona, is a three-time winner of The Championship in Samorin, and this year she has been on a winning streak (IM South Africa, Volcano Tri, The Championship and 70.3 Staffordshire).

Women’s Podium at the 2018 Ironman World Championship (L to R): Lucy Charles, Daniela Ryf and Anne Haug. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

However, Laura Philipp may be a name you haven’t heard of, but she is someone to watch. In 2018, she won all the half-Ironman races she entered and in her first Ironman (Ironman Barcelona) she to the overall win and set a new course record of 8:34:57 – the seventh fastest time in women’s full-distance history.

Other notable names to keep an eye on in Roth are Australian Sarah Crowley, Laura Siddall (GBR), Anja Ippach (GER) and Canadian Rachel McBride.

Jan Frodeno winning Challenge Roth in 2016 with a time of 7:35:39!

Challenge Roth is home to the world record for a full-distance triathlon. In 2016, Jan Frodeno set the men’s record of 7:35:39, and in 2011, Chrissie Wellington set a blistering time of 8:18:13. Both records could be in jeopardy on July 7th.

Chrissie Wellington smashing the full distance world record at Challenge Roth in 2011.