Challenge returns to Australia x 3
Challenge had a full distance race in Cairns that became an Ironman event in 2012, but now Challenge Family announced 3 new half distance races in this triathlon passionate country – Challenge Forster, Challenge Melbourne and Challenge Bateman's Bay.
"Australia is an extremely important part of the world for us, we have received messages from athletes every day asking us when we will be back and I’m delighted to announce our return with three very different, but all equally compelling races," said Challenge Family CEO Felix Walchshöfer. "Challenge Forster continues our commitment to the legacy of our sport with its strong roots in Australian triathlon, Challenge Bateman’s Bay has been chosen for its great location and athlete experience while Challenge Melbourne brings the Challenge Family to one of Australia’s iconic cities. We are very proud to work with all the communities and race organizers to bring a new triathlon experience to Australian athletes."
It was a shock to many athletes when it was announced in March of 2012 that the popular Challenge Cairns event was rebranded Iroman Cairns after World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) purchased USM Events, owner of major Australian triathlons in Noosa, Mooloolaba, Geelong, Sydney and the aforementioned Challenge Cairns. Andrew Messick back then had reached out to Felix Walchshöfer, but they could not come to terms, and that left Challenge in the end without any presence in Australia. More recently there was also a bit of a back and forth with Challenge Penticton replacing Ironman Penticton, and WTC promptly placing an Ironman Whistler event counter of that event.
Now in Australia Challenge tasked experienced Australian race directors David Hansen and Mark Emerton to spearhead the relaunch in Australia. Hansen will oversee the Challenge Melbourne event, while Emerton will be in charge of Challenge Forster and Challenge Bateman's Bay in collaboration with Challenge Family.
According to the Challenge press release 'Securing Challenge Melbourne has been a big coup for Australia's most experienced event manager David Hansen and his team at SuperSprint Events. Months of planning and preparation have culminated in Challenge Melbourne that will take place in the bayside suburb of Sandringham and will showcase the famous Beach Road and the miles of running tracks that follow the bay. The inaugural Challenge Melbourne event will take place on February 2, 2014.'
Challenge Forster will take place in the idyllic twin towns of Forster-Tuncurry on the NSW Mid-North Coast on Sunday November 24, 2013.
"I am very excited that Challenge is coming to my old home town. I recall the days when legendary athletes like Jurgen Zack, Peter Reid and Bruce Thomas would come to town to test themselves on the challenging course. So it is with a great deal of pride that I can, along with the Challenge Family, show athletes what all the fuss was about," said Emerton.
The final event will be Challenge Bateman's Bay, scheduled for March 16 2014. Bateman's Bay is located on the NSW south coast and offers athletes in that region a new endurance challenge.
"Bateman's Bay is one of those hidden gems which athletes will fall in love with now that Challenge has come to town. Everyone is excited about the course and location and my team and I feel privileged to be hosting this event there," added Emerton.
Entries to Challenge Forster, Challenge Melbourne and Challenge Bateman's Bay open to the general public at 9.00am on Friday 10 May at challenge-australia.com.au
