Challenge Family goes to Italy

Challenge Family continued its expansion in Europe with the announcement of Challenge Rimini in Italy on May 26, 2013 – the 14^th race in the Challenge Family.

Dating back to 268BC, Rimini is one of Italy’s most popular beach resorts with its kilometres of sandy beaches, ancient Roman history and vibrant cultural scene making it an ideal place for a holiday as well as a race. It is this all-inclusive character, combined with the potential for an outstanding half distance course, which led Challenge Family to form a partnership with Adria Congrex and Triathlon Duathlon Sgr to make Challenge Rimini a reality.

In keeping with Challenge’s focus on athlete experience, the Challenge Rimini course is designed to include the best of this spectacular region and promises to be one of the most cultural half distance courses in the world.

Starting in the seaside resort of Rimini, made famous by renowned film maker Federico Fillini, the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea will host the 1.9km swim following which the 90km bike course will head high into the hills surrounding Rimini along roads built by the great Roman emperors. Travelling through the Emilia Romagna Apennines, an area renowned for its stunning landscapes and many fortresses and castles, the course visits the historic towns of Coriano, Montegrimano, Montelicciano and Montescudo before heading back down to the Riviera. The 21km run is a three-lap course along Rimini’s famous promenade, lined with bars, shops and restaurants and a crowd of thousands before finishing in the shaded beauty of Parco Fellini.

Such is the appeal of the course that multiple world champion, Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack has already announced his intentions to race at the inaugural Challenge Rimini.

“Challenge Rimini fits perfectly into my race schedule and who can go past the opportunity to race in such a beautiful part of the world?” he said. “It’s great the organisers have embraced their heritage and translated it into what I’m sure will become one of the iconic half distances in Europe.”

Alessandro Alessandri, spokesperson for Challenge Rimini, shared McCormack’s enthusiasm for the course and said with the current growth in triathlon in Italy, Challenge Rimini provided the perfect entry into long distance racing.

“Rimini and Challenge Family are ready to make your dreams come true,” he said. “Perfect management and very high quality standards will make Challenge Rimini one of the best triathlon experiences of your life. The interest in triathlon is increasing in Italy and many athletes aim at long-distance races. The half distance allows you to test the waters before committing to the full distance! Rimini and its surrounding countryside will be the ideal setting for this competition, combining the beauty of the coast and

beaches with the magnificent hills of the Italian Apennines. Challenge Rimini has been conceived as an event not only for the athletes, but also for their families and supporters.

The best of Romagna’s traditional hospitality, excellent food, entertainment and sights will make this experience most unforgettable for both the athletes and their families”.

Challenge Family CEO, Felix Walchshöfer, said he was delighted that Challenge had found such an impressive home in Italy.

“Rimini and its surrounding country side truly has to be one of the most impressive places I’ve visited,” he said. “The culture, the architecture, the history and the passion of the local community all combine to create an extremely special triathlon. Our local organising team and the city of Rimini have worked tirelessly to deliver a course that Italy can be extremely proud of and one that we are certainly very proud to include in the Challenge Family.”

Macca will take part in Rimini
It has already been decided that the Challenge Family’s new brand ambassador, world triathlete Chris “Macca” McCormack, will take part in the premiere of Challenge Rimini. “The race perfectly suits my schedule, and I am glad to have the opportunity to participate in an event in one of the most wonderful regions of the world”, says the triple triathlon world champion. The online application forms will be launched 1st of December, and details about the event are then available at the new website www.challenge-rimini.it.

Further competitions to follow shortly
The announcement of Challenge Rimini is the second announcement of a new competition within just one week – after the launch of Challenge Vitoria-Gasteiz had been pronounced only last Friday. And it will not be the last this year, as Challenge Family CEO Felix Walchshöfer says: “First of all, I am extremely pleased that we are now arriving in Italy, in such a wonderful historic city as Rimini. But yes, it’s true: We will announce even more fantastic news within the next few days and weeks.”

Felix Walchshöfer explains the reasons for the announcement of several new races within such a short period of time: “It might come as quite a surprise, but behind the scenes we have been working on a systematic expansion of our series for two years now. Last year we didn’t add any race, but decided to have a year of consolidation. Of course, we’ve talked to people all the time, adjusted our structures and prepared the new competitions in detail. Now the race calendar for 2013 has to be completed. Our athletes may look forward to additional new and spectacular locations – tension’s mounting.”