The fast German Jan Frodeno has an amazing resume with a Gold medal from the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, and a double World Championship feat in 2015 where he captured both the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Zell am See, Austria, and the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He has thus earned the distinction to be the first athlete male or female to capture both Olympic Gold and a Kona title. The man known by many as Frodo however had no Challenge Roth win yet, and that may change this summer. According to a press release Frodeno is on the start list of the 2016 Datev Challenge Roth in July of 2016.
"The event in Roth is a European triathlon legend, racing at Challenge Roth is a highlight in the career of every athlete. I’m so excited that I can finally take my place on the start line in Roth,” said the Jan Frodeno. "All athletes who compete at Roth are blown away by the unique atmosphere in the triathlon crazy region of Roth and the perfect race organization. I want to experience that for myself and I am already hugely looking forward to enjoying the famous ‘Challenge spirit’.”
Rumor also has it that Frodeno has his eye on the 7:41:33 world best time of fellow German Andreas Raelert. This time was recorded in 2011, and if things go well there might be a new one come July 17, 2016.
"It’s well known that the course in Roth is very fast. I'll do everything to ensure my dream of the world record becomes a reality,” added Frodeno.
Datev Challenge Roth CEO Felix Walchshöfer also appeared very excited and happy about this development.
“We had already told our fans that our 15th anniversary would be full of surprises. The greatest of these is that Frodo starts with us. I am absolutely thrilled. For us it is a huge joy and also an honor to have the world’s best triathletes race with us. The eyes of the triathlon world will be on Datev Challenge Roth in 2016 and perhaps we will see triathlon history written once again,” said Walchshöfer.
In the press release the Challenge Roth team also hinted that there will be a few more exciting starters on that day.
