The Challenge Family global series of long distance triathlons has today announced three new half distance races in Spain: Challenge Salou, Challenge Riaza and Challenge Menorca.
‘With their idyllic locations and memorable courses’, all three destinations are already popular with Spanish athletes under the expert race production of Win Sports Factory, with whom Challenge Family has partnered.
The move by Challenge Family sees the company back in a key triathlon market following the loss of Challenge Barcelona and Half Challenge Barcelona back in April this year.
(In April, Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC) acquired Tritlon Spain SL, which are now under the M-Dot umbrella as Ironman Barcelona and Ironman 70.3 Barcelona and will be held on 5 October 2014 and 18 May 2014, respectively.)
Ironman now has seven races in Spain, including Ironman Lanzarote, Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote, Ironman Mallorca and the Thomas Cook Ironman 70.3 Mallorca.
Challenge Family has now strengthened its position with five races in Spain: the newly added Challenge Salou, Challenge Riaza and Challenge Menorca; plus Challenge Menorca and Challenge Fuerteventura.
Challenge Family CEO, Zibi Szlufcik, said the combination of outstanding locations and the proven shared values of Win Sports Factory, made the addition of three new races to the Spanish race calendar an easy decision.
“We are delighted to expand Challenge Family in Spain with the well respected team at Win Sports Factory and the communities of Salou, Riaza and Menorca,” Szlufcik said.
He continued, “Challenge Family is focused on delivery of the ultimate race experience for athletes and their supporters and all three destinations promise to deliver something really memorable for those who visit.”
Win Sports Factory CEO, Luis Genero, said that this agreement is great news for triathlon in Spain. “Adding Salou, Riaza and Menorca to Challenge Family from 2015 is a joy for all and a new professional challenge for the Win Sports team. We like the Challenge Family philosophy and we will work to ensure these three races are an unforgettable experience for athletes from around the world.”
Challenge Salou Costa Daurada promises to be a classic in the calendar. Salou is home to some of the greatest beaches in Spain. The bike course is a flat, single loop, ‘perfect for a personal best’. Transition, the run course and finish line are on the seafront promenade, lined with palm trees. Families can also enjoy Port Aventura, one of Spain’s largest theme parks offering unforgettable experiences for athletes, spectators, friends and family alike.
Challenge Riaza in the heart of Spain is just one hour from Madrid and is characterized by the alpine beauty of the race setting as well as a tough course for the triathletes. Swimming is in the beautiful Riofrio reservoir surrounded by mountains and next to the ski resort of La Pinilla. The bike is a challenging course through the foothills followed by a flat run finishing in centre of picturesque Riaza.
Menorca is the least crowded and among the most beautiful of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Fornells, where Challenge Menorca is based, is ‘the most beautiful village on the island’, with its typically white Balearic architecture. The water clarity on the swim is unrivalled while the inland bike course is fast. The half marathon is billed as an amazing run all along the spectacular coastline.
