DATEV Challenge Roth 2026 presents a professional field that sets new standards in its own right. Olympic champions, world champions, the defending champion and the world’s fastest long-distance athletes will come together on 5 July at the Home of Triathlon. The field boasts an exceptional level of quality, which is remarkable even by Roth’s standards.

A three-way battle of the triathlon titans

At the heart of the men’s race is a historic three-way battle between the world champions: Kristian Blummenfelt, Sam Laidlow and Patrick Lange. Back in the spring, Patrick Lange had already set the tone for the race: “The top favourite isn’t last year’s winner, but Kristian Blummenfelt.”

Last year’s runner-up to finish a smiling fourth?

Last year’s runner-up, Jonas Schomburg, could throw a spanner in the works for the trio; after his aggressive race in 2025, he is now looking to go on the attack once more. Frederic Funk is another top German athlete on the starting line who, following his strong debut last year, now wants to take the next step as a fully-fledged triathlete.

Triathlon fans can also look forward in particular to the appearance of Magnus Ditlev. The three-time Roth winner and current course record holder is making a last-minute return to the scene of his greatest victories.

Ironman 70.3 world champion Rico Bogen is another top German athlete making his long-distance debut in Roth. He is one of the most exciting up-and-coming athletes over the longer distance and adds an extra element of unpredictability to the race.

Finn Große-Freese has also confirmed his participation in Roth at short notice following the race in Frankfurt. He won Ironman Copenhagen last year in 7:27:36 hours, making him the German record holder for the long-distance triathlon.

The field features top international talent, including European champion Will Draper, Kristian Høgenhaug, Arthur Horseau, Menno Koolhaas, Arnaud Guilloux, former Roth winner Andi Dreitz and the experienced American Ben Hoffman.

Lucy vs. Kat: a British duel for the crown?

The women’s race also features the world’s elite, and on Monday – just days into race week – the line-up received a spectacular last-minute boost: the surprise confirmation that Ironman World Champion, Lucy Charles-Barclay, will compete adds further star power to the field. The British athlete, winner of 2019 DATEV Challenge Roth and 2023 Ironman World Champion, is returning to one of the most emotionally significant venues of her career.

Her participation adds further excitement to an already top-class field at the forefront of the women’s race, which promises world-class competition right from the start. Particular attention will be focused on her clash with Ironman World Championship runner-up Kat Matthews, who has consistently impressed with top performances over the long distance in recent years and is also among the major contenders for victory in Roth. She will make her debut at the ‘Home of Triathlon’ in Roth in 2026.

Plenty of podium experience in the women’s field

Alongside Charles-Barclay, another Roth winner will be on the start line. Daniela Bleymehl won in 2018, finishing nine seconds ahead of the British athlete. As a mother of three, she most recently impressed with a third-place finish at Ironman South Africa.

Caroline Pohle, another top athlete from the Erdinger Active Team, is also making her long-distance debut in Roth. She is one of the strongest German athletes over the middle and short distances, having won three Challenge Family races in the spring of 2026 in St. Pölten, The Championship and Gran Canaria, and now aims to make her mark over the long distance as well.

Alanis Siffert and Fenella Langridge already have podium experience in Roth. These two crowd favourites are back on the course. So too is Daisy Davies, making her debut here after winning the European long-distance title at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in her first long-distance race.

Race director Felix Walchshöfer puts the scale of the field into perspective: “This line-up is exceptional. We have Olympic champions, world champions, defending champions and a whole host of professionals who are capable of winning the race. It’s set to be an absolute triathlon festival featuring the world’s best professionals and 3,500 age-groupers who are here to fulfil their dreams.”

With over 160,000 euros in prize money, 3,500 individual competitors and around 700 relay teams, world-class talent will meet legend on 5 July 2026 in the Roth Triathlon District, where the strongest professional field in the event’s history is set to compete.