DATEV Challenge Roth is a huge event with lots of hot spots. But how do you get from A to B and how do you get to see as much of the race as possible? We have worked out three different routes for you to experience and enjoy the race day in different ways!
Route 1
5:30 a.m.
Park your car in Roth at the Belmbrach parking lot, then take the shuttle to the swim start—the first heart-pounding moment of the day. The starting gun for the first group, featuring the top athletes, goes off at exactly 6:30 a.m. You’ll find spots with a good view along both banks of the canal or on the bridge (be there early!)
8:00 a.m.
Walk to Solarer Berg, the most famous hotspot on the bike course (head toward the city center via Allersberger Straße, walk through downtown, and follow the crowds—about a 25-minute walk). The men’s lead cyclists are expected to reach Solarer Berg shortly before 9:00 a.m. After that, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the incomparable atmosphere a little longer and take a breakfast break.
10:30 a.m.
Walk back to the shuttle parking lot in Heuberg and take the shuttle back to Roth. From the Roth race center, you can walk to Transition Area 2 in just a few minutes.
11:30 a.m.
Board the shuttle and head to Lände Roth (Shuttle 4) on the canal right next to the running course. At the Lände running course hotspot, you now have the opportunity to cheer on the athletes as they run the marathon.
1:00 PM
Back on the spectator shuttle and back to the Roth School Center. From there, it’s a short (about eight-minute) walk to the Triathlon Park. Now it’s time to relax a bit, check out the booths at the Triathlon Expo, grab some food and drinks, and then head to the Triathlon Stadium in time to secure your seats. The men’s winner is expected to cross the finish line there shortly before 2:00 p.m. A moment not to be missed! The women’s Challenge winner will cross the finish line around 2:45 p.m.
Now you can take your time walking along the many cheering sections along the running course and/or take the shuttle bus to Büchenbach and Lände.
Route 2
5.45 a.m.
Park the car at the Heuberg parking lot and then to the swim start, the starting signal is given at 6.30 am. Secure a place on the bridge (from there it is not far to the car). There is enough time to watch the first three to four starting groups.
7:15 a.m.
Back to the parking lot. Drive south to Greding. There you’ll find the longest and toughest climb on the bike course and the popular hotspot at Kalvarienberg, the “Mount of Sorrows.” The easiest way to get there: Head toward Allersberg until you reach the A9 on-ramp, then take the A9 toward Munich until the Greding exit. Park in downtown Greding and then walk (2–3 minutes) to Kalvarienberg. The men’s leading cyclists are expected to arrive there for the first time shortly after 8:00 a.m.; on the second lap, the top riders will pass by around 10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
Walk back to the car and drive to Roth (A9 toward Nuremberg to the Allersberg exit, then State Road 2237). Head to the Belmbrach parking lot (see “Parking” section), and from there it’s a short walk to Transition Area 2 on Hilpoltsteiner Straße.
11:22 a.m.
The timing is perfect again: the leading men are expected in Transition Zone 2 at 11:22 a.m. You can witness the top athletes’ transition from cycling to running up close. And start speculating right away…
12:00 p.m.
We continue on foot to the Triathlon Park (finish area), an eight-minute walk. Along the way, there’s still time to watch the athletes running past at the Hilpoltsteiner Straße / Am Espan intersection and cheer them on loudly. They could really use some encouragement right now!
Route 3
5:30 a.m.
Park your car in Roth at the Belmbrach parking lot, then take the shuttle comfortably to the swim start. There will be plenty of time to watch the first start groups (the top athletes start at 6:30 a.m. for men and 6:37 a.m. for women) and enjoy the incredible atmosphere along the canal in the morning.
8:00 a.m.
Walk to Solarer Berg, the most famous hotspot on the bike course (head toward the city center via Allersberger Straße, walk through downtown, and just follow the crowds—about a 25-minute walk).
9:00 a.m.
The men’s leading cyclists arrive at the infamous Solarer Berg. The women follow, and there’s still time for a breakfast break.
10:00 a.m.
Walk back to the shuttle parking lot in Heuberg and take the shuttle back to Roth. Walk from the Roth School Center to Transition Area 2 in just a few minutes.
11:24 a.m.
The first athlete arrives at Transition Zone 2.
12:15 p.m.
Follow the running course past the cheering section “Am Espan,” turn left onto Gartenstraße, and pass the cheering sections on the way to Kugelbühlplatz and Marktplatz. Depending on the time, you should head back to the Triathlon Park in time to watch the first runner cross the finish line there.
1:30 p.m.
Head to the Triathlon Park and the finish area to watch the men’s and women’s finishes live!
Later
Now you can take your time walking through the many cheering zones along the running course and/or take the shuttle bus to Büchenbach and the Lände
Special tips for all three tours
Suggestion for the afternoon:
From the finish area in the triathlon stadium, it is only an eight-minute walk to Roth town center or a short ride on the shuttle bus to Lände and Büchenbach. There are a lot of hot spots along the route!
Catering:
There is a wide range of food and drink on offer at all the refreshment stops along the bike and run course. Cool drinks, barbecue specialties, veal sausages, coffee and cake and much more guarantee the best catering for spectators. You will also find many different food trucks with a healthy selection at the Festival Market in the Triathlon Park.
Must-Have:
If you haven't been to the finishline party, you haven't been to DATEV Challenge Roth! The evening happening from around 9 pm in the triathlon stadium is an absolute must. The last finishers are literally "carried" across the finish line by the spectators, and the atmosphere is heated up by the enthusiasm of the crowds. After the official finish at 11.20 pm, a gigantic show crowns the long but wonderful day.