Challenge Family has unveiled Challenge Beijing, which is set to take place on the weekend of September 7-8, 2024, over the Olympic and Sprint distances in Beijing Expo Park, situated in the popular holiday region of Yanqing.
The international event organiser adds that… ‘Challenge Beijing has been certified as an A+ level event by the China Triathlon Sports Association (CTSA) and will feature a strong international professional field.
‘With over 21 million residents, Beijing is not only the world’s most populous capital city but also one of the oldest cities in the world, with a rich history dating back over three millennia. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing has been the political centre of the country for most of the past eight centuries.
Yanqing District, where Challenge Beijing is based hosted alpine skiing, bobsled, luge and skeleton during the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 50,000 square metre Beijing Expo Park is located in the southwest of Yanqing, about 74km away from the city centre. With the Gui River running through it and the Haituo Mountain Range in the background, with its lakes and mountains in full view, it’s a spectacular destination for a triathlon.’
The swim course is in the Gui River with T1 located adjacent to Guirui Theatre. The bike course goes through Expo Park and it surroundings, crossing over the Gui River Bridge and the World Grapes Expo Garden in view of the Haituo Mountains.
T2 is in front of the International Pavilion (also known as ‘Xuejinggong’, Snow Crystal Palace) with the run course following the ‘rainbow runway’, passing buildings and scenery in Expo Park with athletes experiencing the local landscaping.
“We are extremely happy to return to mainland China and what better location than the capital city of Beijing,” said Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam. “The race venue is spectacular and perfectly set up for triathlon with plenty of scope to diversify to longer distances in the coming years.
“It’s also a great place for international athletes to visit and experience Chinese culture with the Badaling Great Wall, Longqing Gorge and its strong Olympic legacy. We are very much looking forward to working with the local team, alongside the China Triathlon Sports Association to deliver world class triathlon to both local and international athletes at Challenge Beijing in September.”
Barbara Zhang, President of Druid China, one of the organizers of Challenge Beijing, said “Triathlon is a sport full of challenges and adventure, which is exactly where its charm lies.
“In recent years, more and more people in China have been paying attention to and participating in triathlon, showing a trend of development. We hope to bring the top IP of the Challenge Family [brand] to China, to Yanqing in Beijing, and create a carnival event for all triathlon enthusiasts and the general public.
“This will further inspire the public’s awareness and passion for triathlon, allowing them to experience the spirit of self-challenge and never giving up during this event, while also appreciating the cultural and natural scenery of Yanqing and the atmosphere of the Winter Olympics and sport.”
