On the weekend of April 25–26, 2026, the international triathlon community will descend on Taitung for the latest edition of Challenge Taiwan. With 10,000 athletes registered to compete over two days, the event remains the largest triathlon in Asia and one of the largest triathlons globally.
The professional field will take centre stage to compete for the Middle Distance title. In the men’s race, the primary favourites include Kieran Storch from Australia and Mike Phillips from New Zealand. Both athletes are noted for their strength over the distance, though they will face demanding conditions as Taitung is known for high temperatures and humidity.
New Zealand’s Brett Clifford is also considered a major threat for the overall win. The field is rounded out by international contenders such as Benjamin Zorgnotti from France and Sven Altermatt from Switzerland. Local interest will focus on Taiwanese athletes Shen Yen Hsieh, Chia Hao, and Tuan Chun Chang, who will look to leverage home-field advantage.
In the women’s professional race, the field features Olympic silver medallist Julie Derron. The Swiss athlete, who secured her medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is joined by her sister Nina Derron. Both have established strong reputations in long-course racing over recent seasons.
The Swiss pair will face competition from Rebecca Clarke of New Zealand, a powerhouse in the sport known for applying pressure from the swim onwards. Other contenders include Katie Remond from Australia, Solome Altermatt from Switzerland, and Amy van Tassel from the United States.
Challenge Taiwan is positioned as a festival of sport, offering a variety of distances beyond the professional Middle Distance race. The two-day schedule includes:
- Long Distance
- Olympic and Sprint Distances
- Junior Races
Live timing and updates will be available throughout the weekend via the Challenge Family live platform.
