On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum will once again host a professional field over the 226km distance for the first time since pre-Covid. A number of strong professional athletes have travelled to South Korea to compete over the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run.
Swimming in the warm Yellow Sea, riding between tropical islands, smooth fast roads, the world’s longest sea wall and the welcoming South Korean culture all add up to the South Korean race destination in Asia. Both middle and long distance race options are on offer and a field of over 1,000 athletes. The start gun goes off at 06:30 local time on Sunday 4 June with live updates available at www.challenge-family.live.
In the men’s elite long distance race, Australian Caleb Noble has his eye on the top spot of the podium having already won in Asia this year at Challenge Taiwan. Ranked 85th in the PTO rankings, he is easily the best-ranked male but he will have American Kevin Portmann and Eddie Vining (AUS) in particular to contend with.
Other names at the start of Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum include Per van Vlerken (GER), Ben Hamilton (NZL), Joel Wooldridge (AUS), Simon Billeau (FRA), Eneke Elosegi (ESP) plus Guy Crawford (NZL) racing his first long distance in four years.
Among the women, eyes are mainly on Magda Nieuwoudt. The South African athlete, who seems to be on a serious breakthrough this year, recently won Ekoï Challenge Fréjus. The organising team adds that the women’s pro field is not huge and Nieuwoudt should expect competition mainly from American Amy van Tassel and Australian Kate Bevilaqua.
www.challenge-family.com/korea
