Challenge Family has today confirmed its arrival in Eastern Europe with the announcement of Challenge Pozna?, a half distance triathlon in Greater Poland’s historic capital, taking place on 26 July 2015.
Pozna? is a modern city of business, also abundant in green areas and with the relics of the beginnings the Polish statehood. These include the historic old market square with the city hall, the emperor’s castle and the ninth century Arch-cathedral Basilica – the first cathedral in Poland.
The hub of the event is located at the picturesque Malta?skie Lake, home to World and European Championships in canoeing, rowing and dragon boat races.
While Challenge Pozna? is the first edition of the event for the Challenge Family, it is third edition of the triathlon in Pozna?, formerly the ENEA Pozna? Triathlon, one of the largest triathlon events in Central Europe, attracting over 2,600 triathletes from all over the world. The course is flat and fast with memorable spectator support throughout the 1.9K swim, 90K bike and 21K run.
Wojciech Kruczy?ski, Director of Challenge Family’s Polish partner, Endusport, said the atmosphere of a Challenge event could be compared to the ENEA Pozna? Triathlon, making the Challenge umbrella a perfect international brand for the race.
“The main ethos of Challenge Family is reflected by the slogan ‘We Are Triathlon!’, which highlights the fact that all involved in triathlon are like one big family,” Kruczy?ski said. “Challenge Family is the kind of triathlon event where a good time and sports friendship is a priority.
“[The] organizers’ main aim is to establish strong interaction with contestants. Moreover they are trying to highlight the joy triathlon brings. Each and every Challenge event is about this special atmosphere where everybody (competitors, their families, supporters) can spend all day together with triathlon.”
“Bringing Challenge Family to Poland not only will raise the prestige of the city of Pozna? on the Polish triathlon map, but also will mark its position in the scale of Europe and the world,” said Ryszard Grobelny, Mayor of Pozna? and also a triathlete. “This year’s event proved that triathlon has got strong potential here in Pozna?. I am glad, that we will maintain it by becoming a part of the world series of triathlon events,” he added.
Challenge Family CEO, Zibi Szlufcik, said partnering with ENEA Pozna? Triathlon continued Challenge Family’s commitment to producing quality triathlon events with a strong focus on an ‘excellent athlete experience’.
“Triathlon in the wonderful city of Poznan has enjoyed fantastic development over the last years becoming the triathlon destination in Poland. Wojciech Kruczynski and his team deliver nothing but the best. With the warm hospitality of Mayor Grobelny and the city of Poznan, Challenge Family is proud to become a global partner focusing 100% on quality and athlete experience,” Szlufcik said.
“For me personally, I was born in Poland and it’s a dream come true to have Challenge Poznan on the Challenge Family global schedule!”
Entries to Challenge Pozna? open today, Tuesday 30 September at www.challenge-poznan.pl.
The Challenge Family series of triathlons features 41 full and half distance races around the world, including the world’s largest long distance triathlon – Challenge Roth in Germany. The birthplace of the Challenge Family, Challenge Roth now features over 5,500 athletes and 220,000 spectators and is home to both world records held by Andreas Raelert (GER) and Chrissie Wellington (GBR).
Since 2002, races throughout Europe, UK, Australasia, Asia, North America and South America have joined Roth. Together they aim to provide athletes with a new experience of long distance racing with a strong focus on athlete and spectator experience, giving back to the community while respecting the legacy of sport and being committed to its continued growth.
www.challenge-family.com
www.challenge-poznan.pl
