Chrissie Wellington’s recollections of her incredible racing years at the legendary DATEV Challenge Roth are at the heart of a new video series captured by Challenge Family.
In July of this year Wellington returned to Challenge Roth – her first visit back to Roth since her retirement in 2012 – to re-connect with old friends and record the series with Challenge Family.
Wellington is a three-time winner of the famed Challenge Roth event taking the title in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2011 Wellington set a World record time of 8:18:13 which remains intact today.
Through the eight-part video series Chrissie reflects on her time at the peak of the sport, each of her three victories at Challenge Roth, through to her life now as a parent.
In episode four Wellington is asked when it was that she realised that she was a Champion. Surprisingly, despite having already recorded multiple World Championship wins and devastating victories across the globe, Wellington said it wasn’t until after her last race in 2011 that it became evident that she had achieved more than she ever thought possible.
“It was only then that I realised that I was worthy of being a Champion, maybe I didn’t realise it in all the years before,” stated Wellington in one of the more contemplative of the interviews of the series.
Always in pursuit of her next race win, Wellington also claimed that while she celebrated her victories she never truly reflected on what her performances, good or bad, meant at the time. It is now only with hindsight that she back at how remarkable those achievements were.
“It was absolutely fantastic to be invited back to Challenge Roth, to get to experience this amazing race from a different perspective, and with my husband and daughter by my side,” said Wellington.
“I have to admit, there were a few tears as I reminisced on the wonderful, life changing experiences I had in Roth; saw the familiar sights around the race course and reconnected with the wonderful Challenge Family team, my local homestay and the many friends I made there.
“It was superb to watch Jan and Daniela have the performances of their lives and be able to greet age group athletes as they crossed the finish line, all the way through to the fireworks at midnight. My time there made me realise once again, that Roth simply is the best race in the world.
“Doing these videos, and sharing some of my most inner most thoughts and emotions, was a privilege and I hope the viewers round the world enjoy them as much as I loved making them!”
The idea of bringing Chrissie Wellington back to Challenge Roth to record the series was the brainchild of Challenge Family CEO Zibi Szlufcik.
“Chrissie is simply a legend of the sport and an inspiration to many. To have her back at Roth this year brought back a flood of memories and to be able to bottle up those memories and emotions into this video series was a real privilege,” said Szlufcik.
“In the series Chrissie’s personality shines through and it is wonderful to hear how happy she is in her new life post retirement. For me personally it was also fantastic to revel in her victories in 2009, ‘10 and ’11 and have her share the many experiences that make Challenge Roth, and Challenge Family, so unique in the World of triathlon.
“These videos are amazing motivation for age group athletes as they showcase a real champion, beyond just her sporting achievements.”
Challenge Family presents Chrissie Wellington; Stories from a Triathlon Legend will be published on the Challenge Family Facebook page and the Challenge Family website with the first episode airing on Wednesday November 9, 2016.
