The elegant maritime resort town of St Andrews in New Brunswick, Canada is the latest venue to be announced as part of the rapidly growing Challenge Family global series of long distance triathlons. The inaugural Kingsbrae Garden Challenge St Andrews will take place on 6 July 2014 and marks Challenge Family’s first half distance triathlon in North America.
“We’re delighted to work with a local team who already has a proven history in our sport and even more importantly who shares the same ethos as Challenge Family with a strong focus on athlete experience,” said Kathrin Walchshöfer, Challenge Family CEO.
“St Andrews is one of New Brunswick’s premier holiday destinations and its close proximity to the major centres of Montreal and Boston in the USA ensure this will be a popular race on Canada’s east coast.“
Organisers of the existing TRI St Andrews event will now deliver the new Kingsbrae Garden Challenge St Andrew which will feature a 1.9K swim, 90K bike and 21K run over a course that takes in the highlights of the historic region.
Scott Bevington, Challenge St Andrews Race Manager, said that as well as providing an outstanding race experience on North America’s East Coast, Challenge St Andrews also provided a perfect build-up opportunity for athletes training for Challenge Penticton.
“The course is memorable for so many reasons,” he said. “The amazing New Brunswick scenery and history, its intensity, the opportunity for spectators to be involved with the athletes throughout plus a finish in the heart of the town. We have no doubt this will become an iconic race for the region. We also look forward to working with our sister race in Penticton on building a whole new triathlon experience for athletes in Canada and the USA.”
Four time world champion and Challenge Family ambassador, Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack has been following Challenge Family’s growth with interest. “It’s great to see another Challenge race added to the Canadian triathlon calendar,” he said.
“I’m heading to Challenge Penticton this August and am super excited to see this historic race return to its true values. I have no doubt that Challenge St Andrews will deliver just as memorable an experience over the half distance and I look forward to checking the course out as I’ve heard it’s stunning, with a tough bike and a really varied run.”
Athletes will start and finish their race at the iconic St Andrews landmark, Algonquin Resort, in the heart of the town. The saltwater swim course is in the warm, protected waters of Katy’s Cove, despite the close proximity to the frigid waters found in the Bay of Fundy.
The spectacular bike course follows the highway out of St Andrews towards historic St Croix Island and features fast-flowing roads with a few rolling and challenging hills along the way. The views of the Bay of Fundy are spectacular as athletes look across the river to the State of Maine in the United States.
The two lap run course will take athletes through all of the major historic sites within the town of St Andrews including the championship Algonquin Golf course, the historic Block House cannons, the saltwater marshes and the stunning Kingsbrae Garden. The final stretch will be uphill where athletes will run through the Algonquin Resort property, and under the hotel archway to complete the first lap.
Registration for the new Challenge Half event in St Andrews is now open.
