The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has acquired the Challenge London triathlon (itself recently acquired from LimeLight by Challenge Family backer Y11), to include the London event on the 2024 PTO Tour.
In addition to the existing schedule of races already planned for the weekend of July 27-28, 2024, the PTO will add its ‘made-for-TV’ 100km triathlon races. This will showcase PTO’s top ranked 20 female and top 20 male professionals going head-to-head around the capital, broadcast live around the world.
The deal announcement came on the eve of PTO announcing its 2024 PTO Tour calendar in London today.
“We’re very proud of the work the Challenge Family has done over the last year in building up this London race post the Covid pandemic, with the addition of the Challenge middle distance race,” said Challenge Family CEO Jort Vlam.
“We know how much racing in such a world-renowned location adds to the profile of triathlon. So, in the best interests of the sport, it makes sense to collaborate with the PTO who we trust will provide the event with a chance to reach millions of people through mainstream media, serving our sport across the globe. That’s why we are happy to handover the keys of the city for the next chapter in this iconic event’s history.”
PTO’s CEO, Sam Renouf, said “Our ambition to hold spectacular PTO Tour races in the centre of iconic cities around the world is something we’ve been very clear about – and this race in central London fits that criteria perfectly, which is why we’re delighted to be announcing its acquisition and the plan for the race to be part of the 2024 PTO Tour.
“Since the PTO’s inception we have had a close partnership with Challenge Family, with shared ideals and ambition to grow the sport. Its history tells us this is a world class event and it’s very much our ambition to continue the good work Challenge started and return it to that status as one of the largest in the world.”
The London event, which has a 20-year heritage and at its height attracted 14,000+ participants, making it the world’s biggest triathlon, features a closed road course taking place entirely within central London.
Starting and finishing at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre, the swim is in the sheltered Royal Victoria Dock. There’s a multi-lap bike course from London’s Docklands to Westminster and back – taking in some of London’s most memorable sights including Big Ben and the London Eye. The event finishes with a multi-lap run around the Docklands.
On August 6, 2023, Challenge London saw wins for leading pro triathletes Sam Laidlow (FRA) and Fenella Langridge (GBR) as well as around 3,800 amateur participants competing in… a Middle Distance event (1.9km swim, 80km bike, 21.1km swim), an Olympic Distance (1.5km run, 40km bike, 10km run), Olympic Distance Relay, Sprint Distance (720m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), Sprint Relay and a Super Sprint (400m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run).
PTO World #13, Sam Laidlow, said “It was a fabulous event to race in last year. The course, the crowds and the organisation were all top class, so I think the PTO Tour will be right at home here and be able to take it to the next level.”
The middle distance race in July this year will feature PTO’s 100km distance for both pros and amateurs as well as a full schedule of shoulder events, including: Olympic distance, Olympic Distance relay, Sprint distance, Sprint relay and a Super Sprint. All those currently signed up will be able to race as planned, or upgrade to the new 100km distance.
The PTO has already confirmed that the PTO Tour will return to Singapore on April 12-14 and Ibiza on September 28-29, 2024, as well as visit Lake Las Vegas on October 19-20, 2024. The full season schedule and participating elite athletes will be announced today (January 30, 2024).
The PTO has a goal of taking long-distance triathlon to a broader audience. It claimed a global dedicated TV and streaming audience of 24.6 million in 2023 for its three races in Ibiza, Milwaukee and Singapore.
www.protriathletes.org
www.challenge-london.com
