Following the merger of the Challenge Family and REV3 event properties in North America, the Americas region has a new championship series – with the announcement of the Challenge Americas Championships, to be held at Challenge Knoxville, Tennessee, in May 2016.
Encompassing all 13 half and full distance Challenge Family races in North, South and Central America, qualifying for the Championships will start at Challenge Knoxville on 17 May 2015.
To celebrate the launch of the first qualifying race of the Championships, Challenge Knoxville 2015 will offer all athletes, who register for the race, 50% off a second entry for a friend. This special offer is available until 30 November and equates to two half distance entries for US$382.50.
Throughout the year, professional and age group athletes will have the opportunity to qualify at Challenge Knoxville, Challenge Quassy, Challenge Williamsburg, Challenge Atlantic City, Challenge Pocono Mountains, Challenge Maine, Challenge Rancho Cordova and Challenge Florida in the USA.
Canadian qualifiers are Challenge Penticton and Challenge St Andrews; while Challenge Ixtapa in Mexico will be the Central America qualifier and Challenge Florianopolis the South American qualifier.
The regional championships announcement was accompanied by confirmation that all Challenge Family races in the Americas will feature consistent prize money across all races.
Challenge Family CEO, Zibi Szlufcik said the Challenge Americas Championships was an exciting development for athletes in the region. “With 13 races throughout the Americas and an outstanding championship venue in Knoxville, athletes will enjoy a quality race series, culminating in a grand finale and the prestige of calling themselves regional champion.”
He added, “Challenge Knoxville 2015 will be a test event for the 2016 Championships and all athletes are invited to test this beautiful course.
“We’re also delighted to be able to confirm a pro field with prize money at every race. We’ve had many requests for this and are extremely happy to be able to offer our valued athletes with a strong series of races paying 10 deep throughout the Americas region.”
This decision reverses a previous stance by REV3 earlier this year. This saw the REV3 brand (prior to its merger with Challenge Family) cancel its professional division and pro prize purse and migrate towards age group athletes.
Challenge Americas board member, Charlie Patten said, “We are excited for the 2015 Challenge Americas Age Group series and Championship race! The hard work of amateur athletes often goes unnoticed and this is our chance to celebrate all athletes. From the working mothers to the retired grandparents and everyone in between, now we get to celebrate your amazing accomplishments!”
Full details of prize money, both for the series and the Championship final will be released shortly.
www.challenge-familyamericas.com
