Challenge Roth isn’t just another race. It’s the race. A dream event. A bucket-list race that draws thousands of triathletes to Germany every July.
And this year, it brought the heat, literally.
As the official swim sponsor, Zone3 were right at the heart of the action, welcoming athletes, supporting their final race preps, and soaking up every second of this unforgettable weekend.
Friday & Saturday: Final Prep and Swim Testing in the Roth Waters
Ahead of Sunday’s big race, we kicked off the weekend with swim testing sessions in the canal.
We opened up the canal giving athletes the chance to swim in Zone3 wetsuits and swimskins in real conditions.
We had our full range of wetsuits and swimskins available, and our team was on hand to help athletes find the right fit, test transitions, and get a feel for how the suits support their swim.
It was all about making sure each athletes kit would deliver when it mattered most.
Some athletes were trying a swimskin for the first time and others were looking for that final pre-race confidence boost and a course recce.
Race Day Curveball: No Wetsuits Allowed
Ahead of race day this year, every triathlete was watching the water temperature like a hawk, and for good reason.
World Triathlon rules state that if the water exceeds 24.5°C (76.1°F), wetsuits are not permitted for age-groupers. And that’s exactly what happened at Challenge Roth 2025.
With the heatwave sweeping across Europe, the Main-Danube Canal warmed well past the threshold. The official announcement came: non-wetsuit swim. For some athletes, that meant adjusting pacing and expectations. For others, it meant urgently rethinking gear.
That’s where swimskins came in and our Zone3 tent quickly became a hotspot.
Trisuits are designed primarily for comfort and performance across all three disciplines but will not give you any swim speicifc benefits in a non-wetsuit swim.
Swimskins on the other hand, are built for the water. These can be worn over the top of a trisuit when wetsuits are not allowed and are made from hydrophobic materials and engineered for a snug, compressive fit, they help reduce drag, improve body position, and shave off precious seconds in the swim.
We spoke with athletes who’d never raced without a wetsuit before and they were understandably nervous. But after getting fitted in our swimskins, many left with more confidence than they expected. That extra edge made all the difference once they hit the start line.
Racing with Team Zone3
Roth is a bucketlist event. And so we invited our ambassadors to race.
Daan de Beer stunned us all. Just 21 days after his first ever long-distance tri, he tackled Challenge Roth. For his second full-distance race ever, he showed the kind of resilience and courage that inspires us all.
"Last Sunday I raced Challenge Roth together with ZONE3. And to say it was a memory for life is an understatement.
With only my first full distance triathlon completed 21 days earlier, I was very excited to see what I was capable of.
The atmosphere of the weekend was something I never experienced at this scale before. Nothing but smiles, good vibes and lovers of the sport. Only during the event I truly grasped why Roth is such a big deal. It is one of a kind.
Due to the water temperature, it became a non-wetsuit swim. It sure did a number on my time, but the swim course was fun and felt comfortable. The volunteers did a great job of pulling you out of the water and getting you onto your bike as fast as possible.
The bike course was long and hilly but experiencing Solar Hill made it all worth it. The marathon was definitely the toughest part for me on the day because of the pressing weather. The hills at KM 33 were also a very unwelcome guest. But to finish this iconic event was something I’ll cherish for life!
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone thinking about doing a full distance race... Do it! Get ready for the longest day of your life that will fly by in a second. And please, don’t forget to enjoy it."
Zayd, Rory, and Ben (aka Swimming Mantis) teamed up for the relay—and won it!!!
It was a joy to watch them take on each discipline with power, pacing, and a whole lot of pride. Their team effort truly embodied what Zone3 is all about.
Then there was Girona Racing Academy's Ruurd . He started with big goals: a sub-9-hour finish. But when things didn’t go to plan, he kept going anyway, just to cross the finish line with his son. A beautiful, raw reminder of why we race.
"Roth exceeded all expectations. The festival atmosphere was incredible - from the practice swim that drew massive crowds to the food trucks and family-friendly areas that made it a true triathlon festival rather than just a registration pickup. Having my family there and Zone3 support made it special.
Race day was challenging - I came out of my first freshwater swim 5 minutes behind my sub-9 target, then struggled with fatigue on the bike despite the amazing crowds and atmosphere of Solar Hill.
The run started strong, but my hip flexors gave out around km 15-20, making sub-9 impossible. Once I accepted that, I shifted focus to enjoying the day and making sure I'd be running the stadium with my son. I soaked in every cheer and high-five, making it unforgettable.
The lesson: respect the full distance - there's no hiding from inadequate training. Most importantly, stay positive and be mentally prepared to overcome something on such a long day, focusing on what you can control ahead of you rather than dwelling on setbacks."
Long Distance Triathlon Racing
Roth is more than a race. It’s a celebration of what this sport is all about: pushing your limits, sharing the journey, and finding joy (and grit) in every stage.
We’re proud to be part of that experience, from helping athletes feel race-ready, to cheering them across the finish line.
