Challenge Roth: How my dreams of completing the world's largest triathlon became a reality

After months of preparation and training, Jon O'Donnell recounts his epic feat of athleticism in overcoming the oldest and largest triathlon in the world

Challenge Roth is divided into a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles on the bike and a 26.2 mile marathon run.. (Getty)

3.50am. A knock at the door that tells me what I already know. The day had arrived. Myself and around 3,400 other people were about to swim, cycle and run our way through 226km of Bavarian countryside. Some of us were chasing records, others just personal dreams of finishing.

We arrived on the banks of the Main-Donau-Kanal (off the Danube) for the swim start at around 5.30am. In the background the PA played classical music that sounded like the theme tune from the Shawshank Redemption - a timely reminder that any possible emancipation for me would come many hours later.

Despite the usual kicking, punching and semi-drowning I felt pretty good in the swim. It was only when I realized that the 1700m marker was ‘gone’ and not ‘to go’ that I realized I was in for a long slog. Exiting the water after a fairly slow 1hr 35mins I desperately tried to get someone to corroborate that the water was 'much heavier round here' - but no takers.

The first half of the bike was amazing. Fast, rolling terrain with roads so smooth you could see your face in them. Thankfully I didn't, although there were a few close calls as I descended some twisty hills at full pelt. Things became tougher on the second lap as the dark periods set in. I received timely and welcome encouragement from British pro Laura Siddall as she sailed past. You need pick-me-ups like that.

You couldn't help but be sucked in by the atmosphere of the place. The climb up 'Solar Hill' was incredible with only a tiny fraction of road space given over to riders as they carved their way through the mob. Real Tour de France stuff. Although, I'm not sure Chris Froome got repeatedly patted on the head with inflatable batons.

It was impossible not to surrender to the magnitude of the occasion - I burst into tears

&#13; <p>Jon O'Donnell</p>&#13;

I finally made it onto the marathon still hoping to achieve my sub-14hr goal. Luckily, I had a strategy but to paraphrase Mike Tyson: everyone has a strategy until you try to stand up after 180km on the bike. My strategy of ‘run 20 mins, walk five’ quickly turned into ‘run to the big knobbly tree about half a yard up the road and then walk until you can breathe again’. It was by now baking hot and very tough. I fell in step with a designer from Cornwall called Rich and we motivated and moaned at each other in equal measure. It was enough to give me the energy to cross the line.

It was impossible not to surrender to the magnitude of the occasion as I entered the crowd filled arena for the final 100m. Crossing the line I have never before experienced such a groundswell of emotion. I glanced up at the clock and saw my final finish time was 12.59.00 - I burst into tears. I had beaten my goal by an hour and one minute.

Jon O'Donnell after the race (Jon O'Donnell)

Elsewhere Jan Frodeno beat the world record, as he said he would, finishing first with a time of 07.35.39 whilst Daniela Ryf took the honours in the women’s race. I was pleased to see my personal booster Laura Siddall take fourth.

All in all it was an amazing race. The spirit of Roth is very real. The whole experience was inspirational. From the generosity of the Ilgenfritz family and their friends who took me in and made me part of their family for the duration of my stay, to the crowds that had travelled for miles to line the streets and offer support and encouragement. We might be deserting the EU but that does not mean Europe is deserting us. Me, like many others, made the journey to experience the race through their towns and villages and they cheered our names like we were locals. Based on this evidence it may take more than the invoking of some articles to disunite the vast majority of this continent.

London 2012 was the last time I experienced this level of unity and it is fitting that I should experience it once again ahead of the Rio Olympics. The Games brings together people, crowds and continents like no other event and I for one cannot wait. I’ll be hoping and praying that the Brownlee’s bring home the medals in the triathlon, but I’ve done my bit. Got the t-shirt, the medal and the sore big toe to prove it.