With James Teagle, Sam Wade, Tom Davis, Reece Barclay plus Australian Olympian, Aaron Royle, and almost twenty other strong professional athletes on the start line, Challenge Wales is preparing for its first edition. This Saturday, 18 June, it’s showtime over the Middle Distance and an exciting battle is expected.
Challenge Wales will undoubtedly offer great racing, especially since there is no outspoken favorite among all the professional athletes racing. The level of all of them is high and on paper seems fairly equal, which will make the battle for victory all the more interesting. Among the women, Lucy Byram seems to be the biggest favorite, but great things can certainly be expected from Claire Weller, Natalie Lawrence and Tara Grosvenor as well.
The first edition of Challenge Wales attracts hundreds of athletes. The swim takes place in Fishguard Bay, which is protected by a breakwater on both sides. The two-lap swim enables athletes to exit the water to large crowds before re-entering the water for a second and final lap.
The bike course begins with a steady five kilometre ascent allowing athletes to fuel, before a fast section all the way to St David’s, Wales’ smallest city. Here athletes will have a huge reception as they pass the square and on towards Trefin. On leaving St David’s athletes will again enter another quick section offering stunning sea views of the Atlantic Ocean, before climbing into Trefin and Mathry. Here athletes turn for St David’s once again to experience the great atmosphere and then head back to T2.
The run course is simply breathtaking. A stunning paved coastal run which takes all athletes out on the town’s breakwater as part of a four-lap loop with great sea views. On the fourth loop everyone head back to The Parrog, before entering the famous red carpet finish area.
