Challenge Family is continuing momentum with its event roster, having found a new home on Italy’s Riviera Romagnola with the announcement of Challenge Cesenatico set for May 11, 2024.
The announcement of the new event follows hot-on-the-heels of Challenge Family re-entering North America with SAIL Challenge Cap Québec in Québec, Canada, and entering the Middle East market with Challenge Israman in Israel.
The new middle distance race in Italy will make the most of the Riviera Romagnola region’s many attractions. Athletes can swim in the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea, bike along scenic roads and run along the waterfront while enjoying the hospitality of Romagna and the food and wine products of the area.
The race is supported by the local municipal administration and Challenge Italy team. Together, with the support of ASD Triathlon Duathlon Rimini, a multi-year commitment has been made to bring back international triathlon participation to the area with a completely new course.
The new race returns to the region after Challenge Riccione was no longer able to take place due course permission issues.
Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam, said “There is always a silver lining in every cloud. We have moved just a few kilometres up the coast and in doing so have secured an even more memorable location for our athletes.
“Cesenatico is a town that embraces sport wholeheartedly and we are looking forward to working with our local team and the municipality to set a new benchmark for triathlon in the region.”
The 1.9km swim will start from the Cesenatico beach. This is followed by the 90km bike leg, that will include a long flat section at the outset. The final parts of the bike course will wind for more than 40km through the hills making the route quite challenging, but scenic, with 900m of elevation gain.
In contrast, the 21km run along on the Cesenatico waterfront is flat with spectators, before athletes finish in Cesenatico’s Parco di Levante.
“We have been working for months to bring this event to Cesenatico, and we believe it can be the best way to open the 2024 season with a bang,” said Matteo Gozzoli, Mayor of Cesenatico.
“Behind this choice there is a strong desire to further internationalise a destination like Cesenatico that is now recognised, and not only at a national level, for its focus on outdoor tourism and major sporting events.”
Alessandro Alessandri, Challenge Cesenatico Race Director, said “We are very happy to have the opportunity to return with a new Challenge Family event, thanks to the Municipality of Cesenatico which believes Challenge Cesenatico is a great opportunity to take the name of the city around the world.
“Challenge Cesenatico will build on our proven experience with an international race, with a beautiful course that offers the opportunity to cross our region’s most iconic landscape and a bike course that will see the athletes start from Cesenatico and then go through the neighbouring regions of Cesena, Montiano, Roncofreddo, Longiano, Gambettola and Gatteo.”
