2017-05-04
New run course for DATEV Challenge Roth
New run course for DATEV Challenge Roth
Optimizes competition quality and experience - Many new hot spots
At DATEV Challenge Roth on 9th July, for the first time in the more than 30-year history of the Roth triathlon, a new two-lap run course has been designed to be more athlete and spectator-friendly. The new route links the towns of Roth and Büchenbach, together with the canal in a T-shaped course, which is completed twice. With each out-and-back section of the ‘T’ at 10.2km, runners pass each point of the course four times. With an additional 1.4km of connecting routes at the bottom of the T, the classic marathon distance of 42.195km is reached.
Benefits for athletes and spectators
The condensed course is much more spectator-friendly. It is easy to walk from the bike-run transition to the course and be able to see the athletes four times as they pass within a relatively short distance without the need for a bike or public transport. This is especially good for families with children. Above all, however, the new course has a host of advantages for the athletes: a better atmosphere with bigger spectator crowds, wide paved roads rather than the narrow gravel canal track providing more room for overtaking and a smoother running surface. Lastly, the aid stations and hot spots will be even closer together.
Course remains as fast as before
The new course will probably have no effect on the fastest times. Although the terrain is somewhat hilly just before Büchenbach, there is downhill at Leerstetten and Eckersmühlen. In addition, it is much faster on asphalt roads than on gravel roads.
Lots of new hot spots
There are no less than 17 hot spots on each loop ensuring a great atmosphere between the towns of Roth and Büchenbach. Local volunteers and organisations are actively involved in these new hotspots. These include a nineties themed Germania Airline hotspot, a bright pink Challenge Women hotspot in the town centre as well as a Turkish Cultural Association hotspot named “Mocca Mile”. The Erdinger Alcohol-Free Powerzone has moved and is now on the Willy-Supf-Platz in the Roth city center, as well as the hot spots at Kugelbühl square and market square. In between Roth and Büchenbach, Red Bull and the Biberttal Ski Club will provide entertainment, food and drink. In the town of Büchenbach itself are two new hot spots at Rathausplatz / Dorfweiher and at the local school. Perfect for families with children, this ‘kids hot spot’ in the elementary and middle school playground with a bouncy castle and other activities. The Memmert Weiherschleife around Büchenbacher Dorfweiher is another highlight at the second turnaround point of the new run course. There’s a distinct holiday feeling here with a beach bar and deckchairs and a prerequisite for cheering the athletes loudly!
For the athletes there are seven double-aid stations on the new course. They are also much closer together so the runners can get supplies every 0.9km to 1.9km (previously between 2.1km and 2.9km). They get twice the benefit –more sustenance on course and double the enthusiastic spectator support to give them motivation to complete the marathon leg.
The route description
Marathon distance - 42.195km
From Wechselzone 2 to Gartenstraße as before (500 meters)
Unchanged via Espansberg, past the newly positioned WÜST hot spot in front of the company Nüssli to the Kanallände. On through the factory grounds and the Speck Pumpen hot spot before turning right along the canal towards Haimpfarrich.
After a few hundred meters turning point 1
Via Speck Pumpen, W-Hotspot and Espansberg back to Roth, then take the Gartenstraße to the left into Mühlgasse and continue right to Sparkasse.
Via Sparkasse to the Kugelbühl, then between Rathaus and church on the market square. Go straight through the market square and continue to Willy Supf-Platz
Now direction Pfaffenhofen, after "Blumen Basso" turn left into Sandgasse
Straight ahead to the end of the road, cross the river Rednitz over newly built bridge and continue to the sewage treatment plant.
From there take the state road to Büchenbach
Via the school center to the Rathausplatz, in front of the Rathaus turnaround 2
Repeat above
After the second lap turn right at the ACUNA/Espansberg from Gartenstrasse to Am Espan Strasse and continue to the finish line in the stadium (900m)
The new course is flat on asphalted roads, which are closed to traffic, except for an ascent just before Büchenbach and the existing ascent towards Lände. The only exception (as before) is the short forest track and the canal section is on gravel paths.
