Laidlow retains Roth crown with 7:21:04 world best, Blummenfelt second
Sam Laidlow won his second consecutive Challenge Roth in a world best time of 7:21:04, beating previous record holder Kristian Blummenfelt. German debutant Rico Bogen impressed with third place and a bike split record.
Laidlow's dominant defence
Sam Laidlow led from the front and pulled clear on the marathon, crossing the line inside the Triathlon-Park to roaring crowds. His 7:21:04 lowered the previous world best set by Kristian Blummenfelt in April by 20 seconds.
Jan Frodeno, who set a world best on this course a decade earlier, called itI was fighting, but my team, my girlfriend and the spectators carried me to the finish.
simply a great performance from Sam.
Blummenfelt's chase
The Norwegian started the marathon almost 13 minutes down in fifth, but powered through to second, overtaking Jonas Schomburg and then Rico Bogen at kilometre 39. He finished 5:20 behind Laidlow, unable to reclaim the mark he set in Texas.
Bogen's record debut
Rico Bogen, the 2023 half-distance world champion, was the surprise story. In his first long-distance race he shattered the bike course record with 3:54:45, three minutes faster than Magnus Ditlev's 2023 mark. His overall debut time of 7:27:53 is the fastest ever for a long-distance debut.
He held second until Blummenfelt passed him late.I'm super happy about third place. I definitely didn't think I'd make the podium.
- Race begins with Laidlow, Bogen, and other favourites in the leading group.
- Rico Bogen completes the bike leg in a course-record 3:54:45, taking the lead.
- Kristian Blummenfelt overtakes Bogen and moves into second place.
- Laidlow slows at a feed station, his body struggling, but he recovers and pushes on.
- Sam Laidlow wins in a world best time of 7:21:04, defending his Roth title.
Farewell tour and women's race
Three-time Ironman world champion Patrick Lange, who finished further back, announced he will retire at Roth in 2027.
In the women's race, Switzerland's Alanis Siffert won in 8:09:09, 7:32 minutes ahead of Britain's Lucy Charles-Barclay. Germany's Caroline Pohle impressed with fifth on her debut.I had no chance with what they're firing off. I rode well, but the times...
Record crowd
An estimated 300,000 spectators lined the course, a new record. Race director Felix Walchshöfer confirmed a Zuschauerrekord. Bogen said the atmosphere
Siffert told fans:was even crazier than what I had heard.
You all gave me wings today.
