DATEV Challenge Roth elevated to Platinum Tier for PTO World Rankings

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and TEAMCHALLENGE are delighted to announce that the iconic DATEV Challenge Roth, known as the ‘Home of Triathlon’, has been elevated to Platinum status for the PTO’s 2025 World Ranking System.

This prestigious recognition comes following a substantial increase in prize money for the top ten professional finishers at Roth, ensuring a significant boost for athletes competing in the world’s largest long-distance triathlon. The PTO and TEAMCHALLENGE have also signed a partnership agreement to collaborate on best practices and further grow triathlon’s popularity.

“TEAMCHALLENGE has been a market leader in endurance sport for decades and DATEV Challenge Roth is one of the most iconic events on the triathlon calendar,” said PTO CEO Sam Renouf. “So we are excited to see the race become recognised as a Platinum tier event in our World Rankings System as well as partner with them to elevate the sport more generally.”

115% more prize money for professional athletes in Roth

For the upcoming event, DATEV Challenge Roth will distribute a total of €160,000 in prize money, a 115% increase from last year’s €74,500 payout. This prize boost underscores the event’s commitment to supporting top athletes, as highlighted by Race Director Felix Walchshöfer:

“We are incredibly pleased to further support professional athletes at DATEV Challenge Roth. Its designation as a Platinum-level race, due to the increased prize money for the leading athletes, highlights its significance as one of the most prestigious races that features a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42,2km run. Special thanks to Sam and the entire PTO team for their collaboration to advance professional triathlon as our goal is always to cooperate for the benefit of our sport and our outstanding community.”

€30,000 each for the two winners of DATEV Challenge Roth

Starting in 2025, first-place finishers at DATEV Challenge Roth will receive €30,000, double the previous year’s amount. Second place will earn €20,000, representing a 150% increase, while third place will take home €10,000. Prize allocations for fourth and fifth place are €7,000 and €5,000, respectively.

As in past years, the event will keep the bonus for the world’s best time and continue to offer the ‘Sub9’ program for male athletes and ‘Sub10’ for female athletes, rewarding men who finish under nine hours and women who complete the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run in under ten hours. These prize money increases, alongside DATEV Challenge Roth’s existing athlete contractual and bonus payments, elevates the event to Platinum status in the PTO World Rankings.

PTO Platinum Status Provides Rankings Benefits

With its Platinum designation, DATEV Challenge Roth now offers additional advantages for top finishers by directly contributing to their PTO World Rankings status, solidifying the event’s position among the most prestigious races alongside events like the Ironman World Championship and T100 Triathlon World Tour. The PTO updated its World Rankings System in February 2023 following work by a committee of professional athletes to make them more transparent, objective and reflective of athlete’s race performances over a season. Introducing a five-tier system for races – Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze – primarily based on prize money but also factoring in other criteria such as prestige, media exposure and broadcast coverage.

Enhanced Collaboration

In tandem with these advancements, the PTO and TEAMCHALLENGE are fostering greater collaboration between the organisations, with a shared goal to elevate the sport. This will include partnering together to leverage Challenge Roth’s market leading expo experience, enriching the involvement for athletes and fans alike. The team from DATEV Challenge Roth will support and consult the PTO with the design and setup of expos across the T100 Triathlon World Tour and triathlon fans can look forward to a `PTO Pro Athlete Zone’ at the Challenge expo in Roth next year.

The partnership will also extend to sharing operational best practice, cross promoting each other’s events, and leveraging the PTO’s award-winning social media capabilities to promote DATEV Challenge Roth on the PTO channels to the global triathlete audience.