Selling out in a matter of hours with over 8,000 athletes, ‘Asia’s largest triathlon’, Challenge Taiwan, returns on the weekend of April 27-28, 2024, with an international pro race over the middle distance and mass participation age group races.
Last year’s men’s champion, Caleb Noble (AUS) returns looking to defend his title against a 17-strong pro male field. He will have Kiwis Jack Moody and Sam Osborne to contend with, as well as fellow countryman, Kurt McDonald. He’ll also be up against local favourite, Tuan Chun Chang who took third in 2023.
In the women’s race, Els Visser (NED), fresh from her podium finish at T100 Singapore, is looking to bag her third win of the season. Of the nine other pro women, Lottie Lucas (UAE) and Nina Derron (SUI) are her closest rivals on paper but the event organisers note that anything can happen in the Taiwan heat over 113km.
In addition to the pro race, over 8,000 age group athletes will take part in Asia’s largest triathlon festival over the 226km, 113km, standard and sprint distances, as well as more than 1,000 juniors starting their swim, bike, run careers. The event’s theme for 2024 is: ‘shine in every challenge’, emphasising the presence of every individual in their journey of self-challenge.
Jovi Lo, CEO of Challenge Family Asia-Pacific, said “As Challenge Taiwan continues year by year, we hope to introduce more Taiwanese elements into the challenge and transform everyone’s support for Challenge Taiwan into continuous progress, expecting to continuously provide the best event experiences.
“Combining the sweat of triathlon, the enthusiastic support of family and friends, as well as the beauty and culture of Taitung. It is even more exhilarating this time to see three generations of families registering, confirming that triathlon is a sport that can be participated in from the age of 3 to 78.”
Now in its 12th year, Challenge Taiwan, is set in southern Taiwan in Taitung on the Pacific Ocean. The course takes in the ocean road and tropical rainforests. Coupled with one of the sport’s largest expos, Challenge Taiwan has become one of Asia’s bucket events.
The start gun at for the Challenge Taiwan pro race goes off at 07:00 local time (01:00 CEST) on Saturday, April 27th, with live updates and timing available at www.challenge-family.live and on social media.
