The race week starts with a bang: none other than two-time Challenge Roth winner Anne Haug will compete in the Home of Triathlon for the fourth time in a row on 7 July, completing the female pro field at Challenge Roth.
Anne Haug is eagerly looking forward to Sunday. “Roth is my home race, so I’m really looking forward to soaking up the great atmosphere again, which will hopefully help me to reach my absolute peak performance again. My start is quite last-minute, but plans often change during the season. When I looked at pictures of the race in Roth again a few weeks ago, I decided that I simply couldn’t miss Roth this year.”
The 41-year-old proved she is in top shape at her first long-distance race of the year. She put on a gala performance at Ironman Lanzarote in May. Haug pulverised the course record, which had stood since 1995, by almost 20 minutes and won the race with a lead of over 40 minutes.
She has won two of her three starts at Challenge Roth. Last year, she was only beaten by Daniela Ryf, who set a new world best time and could not be stopped by the Bayreuth native on this historic day. In 2019, she became Ironman World Champion in Hawaii. In 2023, she finished second on the island and set a new marathon record there.
“Anne and Roth belong together. When Anne called us and told us she would like to start at short notice, it was a great personal pleasure. And I also believe this will change the dynamics of the race once again. I am convinced Anne will be in top shape on the start line and will definitely have a say in the victory in Roth,” says Felix Walchshöfer, Race Director of Challenge Roth.
On 7 July, Anne Haug will be up against strong competition who will certainly be challenging her for the Roth crown. Laura Philipp in particular is expected to have a good chance of a top placing. Dutchwoman Els Visser, Anne Reischmann, American Danielle Lewis and local favourite Rebecca Robisch will also be giving their all to shine in Roth.
