Challenge Family acquired the Barcelona Triathlon and transformed it into Challenge Barcelona effective immediately. Athletes can get ready for a race that takes place right across the city, October 8, bringing not only a new name, but a new distance to test both long and short course professional athletes to the streets of downtown Barcelona.
Taking place on Barcelona’s central waterfront, Challenge Barcelona Triathlon will offer no less than six different distances to cater for all levels of triathletes. Age group athletes will race the traditional Olympic, Sprint, Supersprint distances, along with a junior event and aquathlon. Pro athletes, however, will showcase a new Short distance featuring a 1.5km swim, 60km bike and 15km run, competing for a 25,000 euros prize purse.
“Creating a course in the centre of one of the world’s most popular cities is not easy, hence why most long distance events tend to be someway outside the city boundaries,” said Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam. “However, we saw an opportunity to create a race experience like no other in Barcelona but keeping disruption to the community to a minimum. So, after consultation with the athletes, the Short distance was born, appealing to both short course and long course athletes, promising some thrilling racing. We’re very much looking forward to working with the experienced Barcelona team to create a spectacular event for athletes of all abilities from all over the world.”
Challenge Barcelona Triathlon race director, Eloi Moragues, said, “The agreement between Challenge Family and Barcelona Triathlon is the best option for this sporting event to be more international, with more media and more participants, which will give it the leap in quality, setting the city of Barcelona as a benchmark in triathlon worldwide. It is the best alliance to achieve a unique race in a wonderful environment where triathletes will enjoy it.”
Local Barcelona triathlete and no stranger to long distance racing with multiple podiums to her name, Judith Corachán said, “As runner-up in Europe in the middle distance, runner-up in the world in long distance and Spanish champion in long-distance triathlon, I believe Barcelona hosting the Challenge Family world circuit is a very important event for the entire triathlon community. The city of Barcelona is loved and admired by everyone and being able to enjoy a race like this in the heart of the city is a great attraction. As a Barcelonan triathlete, I am proud to be able to be part of this race and I am sure that it will be a success.”
Challenge Barcelona Triathlon is being organised with the support of the Ajuntament de Barcelona and is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy as well as showcase Barcelona as a world-class triathlon destination.
Barcelona City Sports Councillor, David Escudé, expressed his satisfaction with the alliance, “This is a new era for triathlon in Barcelona! The fact our event is now part of the Challenge Family is a huge step towards the internationalisation of the competition and also towards increasing the number of professional athletes who will come to our city in the new Elite Short category. On 8 October the public will enjoy a great sporting spectacle, full of emotions and on the best stage in the world!”
Participants can expect a truly unforgettable experience as they race through this vibrant city on streets lined with spectators. The swim will take place off the protected Mar Bella Beach with its panoramic views of the entire Barcelona coastline. The fast flat bike course along the oceanfront boulevards allows views of the city’s most iconic buildings while the run along the beachfront promenades, lined with spectators will be forever remembered for its lively and enthusiastic atmosphere before finishing in the Passeig Marítim del Bogatell.
