Challenge Family arrives in Italy

Challenge Family continued its expansion in Europe today with the announcement of Challenge Rimini in Italy on 26 May 2013.

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 Triathlon Duathlon SGR Rimini and Adria Congrex 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, Monte Cerignone 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.”
Entries for Challenge Rimini are open from 1 December 2012. Details are available from www.challenge-rimini.it.
Challenge Rimini brings the number of Challenge Family races to 14 across Europe, UK, North America and New Zealand. For further information, visit www.challenge-family.com or follow on Twitter @Challenge_Famil or like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChallengeFamily.