DATEV Challenge Roth has more than doubled its 2025 pro athlete prize purse for the top ten professional finishers at Roth, ensuring a significant boost for athletes competing in the world’s largest long-distance triathlon. The increase has also seen the race elevated to Platinum tier in the PTO world rankings
For the upcoming event, DATEV Challenge Roth will distribute a total of €160,000 in prize money, a 115% increase from last year’s €74,500 payout. This prize boost underscores the event’s commitment to supporting top athletes, as highlighted by Race Director Felix Walchshöfer:
“We are incredibly pleased to further support professional athletes at DATEV Challenge Roth. Its designation as a Platinum-level race, due to the increased prize money for the leading athletes, highlights its significance as one of the most prestigious races that features a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42,2km run. Special thanks to Sam and the entire PTO team for their collaboration to advance professional triathlon as our goal is always to cooperate for the benefit of our sport and our outstanding community.”
€30,000 each for the two winners of DATEV Challenge Roth
Starting in 2025, first-place finishers at DATEV Challenge Roth will receive €30,000, double the previous year’s amount. Second place will earn €20,000, representing a 150% increase, while third place will take home €10,000. Prize allocations for fourth and fifth place are €7,000 and €5,000, respectively.
As in past years, the event will keep the bonus for the world’s best time and continue to offer the ‘Sub9’ program for male athletes and ‘Sub10’ for female athletes, rewarding men who finish under nine hours and women who complete the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run in under ten hours. These prize money increases, alongside DATEV Challenge Roth’s existing athlete contractual and bonus payments, elevates the event to Platinum status in the PTO World Rankings.
PTO Platinum Status Provides Rankings Benefits
With its Platinum designation, DATEV Challenge Roth now offers additional advantages for top finishers by directly contributing to their PTO World Rankings status. The PTO updated its World Rankings System in February 2023 following work by a committee of professional athletes to make them more transparent, objective and reflective of athlete’s race performances over a season. Introducing a five-tier system for races – Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze – primarily based on prize money but also factoring in other criteria such as prestige, media exposure and broadcast coverage.
“TEAMCHALLENGE has been a market leader in endurance sport for decades and DATEV Challenge Roth is one of the most iconic events on the triathlon calendar,” said PTO CEO Sam Renouf. “So we are excited to see the race become recognised as a Platinum tier event in our World Rankings System as well as partner with them to elevate the sport more generally.”
