The organiser of DATEV Challenge Roth, Team Challenge, has begun announcing the professional field for the 2026 edition of the race, which takes place on July 5, 2026.
Danish long-distance specialist Kristian Høgenhaug is the first major name confirmed. The 34-year-old has set his sights on breaking the Danish national record, and in turn the long distance triathlon world record, at this year’s event.
To achieve this, Høgenhaug would need to surpass the current world record of 7:23:24 set in Roth by his compatriot Magnus Ditlev. Høgenhaug, who finished third in The IRONMAN Pro Series rankings in both 2024 and 2025, said “I just want to beat the best Danish time ever in Roth.
“This has always been a bucket list race for me. I expect an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I’ve raced, and I’m sure it’ll be an unforgettable experience.”
Høgenhaug’s resume includes being crowned World Triathlon Long Distance Champion at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in 2021 and a victory at The Championship in Šamorín in 2025. He also secured a second-place finish at the IRONMAN European Championships in Frankfurt in 2025.
Joining the Dane is German athlete Frederic Funk, who returns to the ‘Home of Triathlon’ following a fifth-place finish on his debut in 2025. The 28-year-old, who previously lived and trained in nearby Nuremberg, enters the 2026 season with more long-distance experience.
Funk said “Roth was my first long distance last year and I finished fifth, but I knew there was much more to come. This year, I’m coming back with more experience and the clear goal of fighting for victory. Challenge Roth was an unforgettable experience for me. The atmosphere, the course, the people. I’m extremely excited to be back on the start line.”
In the women’s field, Swiss athlete Alanis Siffert returns following a podium finish in 2025. The 24-year-old was a prominent figure in last year’s race, recording the fastest female swim time of 52:31. Siffert led for significant portions of the bike leg before being overtaken by eventual winner Laura Philipp.
Siffert said “I’m coming to Roth to race from the front and embrace the atmosphere. After leading the race last year, I’m ready to take risks to stay in the fight for a top result. Being able to count on thousands of fans to push me all the way and bring out the best version of me makes it even more special.”
Adding further international depth to the men’s race is French specialist Denis Chevrot. Making his Roth debut, Chevrot holds a personal best of 7:26:21, set at IRONMAN Hamburg, which stands as the fastest French long-distance time. His career includes five IRONMAN victories and four IRONMAN 70.3 titles.
Chevrot is targeting a specific performance on the marathon course, stating “My goal is to be as close as possible to my PB with a sub 2h30 run. I am really waiting for the day to enjoy the atmosphere and the support of everyone in Roth.”
The 2026 professional field will also feature US-based veteran Ben Hoffman. The 42-year-old has been a staple of the elite circuit for over a decade, with a runner-up finish at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2014 and eight IRONMAN titles to his name.
For Hoffman, the race represents the fulfilment of a career-long ambition. Hoffman said “I am thrilled to finally be toeing the line at one of triathlon’s most iconic events. Roth has been a dream of mine since I started triathlon, but it turns out it hasn’t come true until closer to my finish.
“I am not coming to race for the win, but rather to have an unforgettable experience alongside so many other incredible athletes, and to begin closing a chapter in my racing story.”
The American athlete highlighted the reputation of the event’s spectators, particularly at the Solarer Berg climb, noting that he has “never heard anything but incredible stories” regarding the support found at the German race.
DATEV Challenge Roth will continue to announce further professional athletes over the coming weeks as the build-up to the July 5, 2026 race continues.
