For her life's work: Alice Walchshöfer receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the “Triathlon Oscars”
At this year's “sailfish Night of the Year” on November 29 in Langen near Frankfurt, Alice Walchshöfer was honored with the Life Time Award, the highest award in the triathlon scene, affectionately known as the “Triathlon Oscars.” With her passion, dedication, and tireless commitment, she has shaped the sport of triathlon in Roth and far beyond for decades.
With this award, the industry recognizes her decades of service to the sport of triathlon and her commitment to the DATEV Challenge Roth, which has made the district of Roth a global mecca for triathletes. In recent years, Alice Walchshöfer has played a key role in making the DATEV Challenge Roth not only a sporting highlight, but also an incomparable community experience.
Alice Walchshöfer was clearly surprised at the award ceremony: “I am completely speechless. When I see who has already received the award: Jan Frodeno, Werner Brombach, Daniela Ryf. It is unbelievable that I am now joining the ranks of all these big names. I did not expect such an honor at all.
The award at the “sailfish Night of the Year” was presented by none other than Anne Haug, who won her home race three times and set the current world record there in 2024: “Alice, your passion, your warmth, and your charisma—that very special aura you exude—make the DATEV Challenge Roth what it is: a magical place and a home for us triathletes. On behalf of the entire triathlon community, I would like to thank you for everything you do for the sport.”
Together with her two children, Felix Walchshöfer and Kathrin Walchshöfer-Helneder, the grande dame of Roth triathlon has been running TEAMCHALLENGE GmbH since 2001, which organizes the DATEV Challenge Roth, the world's largest long-distance triathlon, in collaboration with institutions, honorary members, and volunteers every year. Charitable causes are particularly close to her heart, and she supports projects such as “Weihnachten gemeinsam” (Christmas Together), which enables everyone in the Roth district to spend Christmas Eve in good company.
Once a year, the “Triathlon Oscars” honor the best in the scene, and with Alice Walchshöfer, this year's prestigious award goes to a personality who, like no other, represents the magic of the Roth triathlon district. The award has been presented annually since 2013 by the editors of Triathlon Magazine as part of the “sailfish Night of the Year.”