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Want to race in August? Head to Switzerland for Challenge Davos

Photo by: Challenge Family

In what is likely to be a forerunner of racing in the future, Challenge Davos appears to be ready to “take place as planned” on August 29. The Swiss Federal Council will “allow events for up to 1,000 people paving the way for the fourth edition of Challenge Davos at the end of August,” according to a release from Challenge Family.

The event will be “limited to 700 competitors due to corona regulations.”

The challenging middle-distance race features a total of 1,770 m of climbing and two trips up the Flüelpass. A competitive field including defending champion Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) will compete – he’ll face Spain’s Albert Moreno, Germany’s Ruben Zepuntke and Maurice Clavel, and Swiss pros Ronnie Schildknecht and Silvan Bruhin, amongst others.

Imogen Simmonds wraps up a stellar 2019 with a big win at the LPT. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon

The winner of the first two editions of Challenge Davos, Germany’s Lena Berlinger, is back, but will certainly have a tough time taking another title as last year’s third-place finisher at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, Switzerland’s Imogen Simmonds, is expected to compete as well.

As with may Challenge races the event promises a festival of events, beginning with a swim and run event for kids on Friday, Aug. 28 followed by the 6 km NightRun that includes a 150 m intermediate “Cheese-Sprint” competition. The event also includes a roller ski race (Davos is a cross country ski centre) that sees athletes start in Davos and finish on the Flüela Pass at 2,383 m.