USA Triathlon and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) have joined forces with Challenge North America to be part of its Challenge Daytona race at Daytona International Speedway, Florida, on December 4th-6th.
The three-day triathlon festival will attract athletes from around the world to compete at the ‘World Center of Racing’ and will feature an array of different events, including age-grouper sprint and middle-distance events, junior challenges, a Pro-Am relay. The weekend will culminate with a PTO Middle Distance World Championship Race with a US$1,000,000 prize purse for the world’s top professional triathletes.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our daily lives and routines in dramatic ways,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “As we adjust and adapt to these changing circumstances, we also know that our entire multisport community is eagerly awaiting the day we can safely and responsibly race again.
“USA Triathlon is proud to support Challenge North America and the PTO by sanctioning a world-class event in December that will showcase the camaraderie of our sport.”
Charles Adamo, PTO Chairman, said “The PTO is pleased to be able to work with USA Triathlon and Challenge Daytona to support the triathlon community to provide race opportunities for athletes. Since many professional events have been cancelled and some races rescheduled without a professional prize purse, the PTO is committing US$1,000,000 of prize money for the PTO Middle Distance World Championship.”
William Christy, CEO of Challenge North America added, “In often a divided world, triathlon has been a unifying force for athletes across the globe. We come together to compete as a family of global athletes. The global pandemic has displaced athletes and cancelled races and now more than ever, our world needs to unite. Our festival allows us to cheer and compete for a shared cause.”
In addition, the PTO Championships on December 6th, the Challenge Daytona Festival weekend will include a number of events catering to athletes of all ages and abilities. The event weekend is anticipated to host the following:
- PTO Middle Distance World Championships
- Sprint and Middle-Distance Triathlons
- Junior Challenge kids’ race
- Pro Am Relay Race
- 5K/10K run/walk events
- Relay categories
- Duathlon and Aquabike events
The top six male and female finishers in each middle-distance triathlon age group will qualify for entry in The Championship, to be held in May 2021 at the x-bionic sphere in Samorin, Slovakia.
Zibi Szlufcik, Challenge Family President of the Board, commented, “While there is still uncertainty associated with the effects of the global pandemic, we know that planning, preparation and hope must continue for the triathlon community. Our teams are busy making the necessary preparations for what we all hope will be a tribute to our sport.”
www.challenge-daytona.com
www.protriathletes.org
www.usatriathlon.org
