Challenge North America – the USA-based arm of Challenge Family – has declared its expansion efforts, with a new race to be held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The inaugural Challenge Miami Triathlon Festival event weekend is scheduled for March 12-14, 2021.
Building on its Challenge Daytona event, also in Florida, the new Challenge Miami is positioned as ‘the first premier event of 2021 at the NASCAR track which is synonymous with many iconic moments in motorsports.’ The festival weekend also boasts US$50,000 in prize money for professional athletes.
“We are thrilled to expand our family-friendly festival of events to South Florida at Homestead-Miami Speedway,” said Challenge North America CEO, Bill Christy. “We anticipate an awesome field of competition.
“We believe this will bring triathlon to a wider global audience and support the growth of safe, family-friendly racing.”
Christy added, “Similar to Challenge Daytona, Challenge Miami includes many unique features which consist of three lakes, two beaches, a nursery as well as a 2.21-mile road course. The swim portion of the competition will take place on the infield spring fed lake which spans about a quarter mile. The true oval offers all athletes a flat and fast course, which will surely lead to memorable finishes and personal records.”
Challenge Family CEO Jort Vlam said “Bill Christy and his team proved with Challenge Daytona how our motto #allabouttheathlete resonates in triathlon events. We see that the US market loves our athlete-oriented approach and we are looking forward on extending the Challenge Family series in North America. We are thrilled to announce that our next American race will be in Miami.”
Homestead-Miami Speedway President Al Garcia added, “Homestead-Miami Speedway has a record of incredible race history from NASCAR, INDYCAR to Trans-Am, and Indy Light Series. We are extremely excited to add human powered racing with multisport to our track.”
Garcia continued, “Located just 35 minutes from Miami international Airport, our venue is located in beautiful and vibrant communities of Miami-Dade County as well as the Florida Keys – offering the perfect winter retreat for our out-of-state guests and staycations for our local Floridians. From impeccable beaches, to shopping, restaurants and entertainment, our community offers something for everyone.”
Pro athlete Andrew Starykowicz (USA) said “I’m looking forward to racing at one of the most unique speedways in the United States.
“The track has variable banking of 18-20 feet in addition to a true 1.5-mile oval with 2.21-mile road course. Whether you are a professional or everyday athlete, this will be an epic race experience.”
The Challenge Miami Festival weekend is anticipated to host the following events:
- Middle Distance Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike
- Sprint Distance Triathlon and Duathlon
- Junior Challenge kids’ race
- Pro Am Relay Race
- 5K/10K run/walk events
- Relay categories
- Challenge Miami Professional race the ‘Miami Distance’
The top Middle Distance Triathlon age groupers will qualify for entry in The Championship, to be held in May 2021 and May, 2022 at the x-bionic sphere in Samorin, Slovakia.
Registration for the event will open on October 1, 2020.
