The Czech metropolis will come alive again with a triathlon holiday in four months. The centre of Prague will be transformed into the venue of the third edition of the attractive FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE competition with both professionals and amateur athletes from all over the world on Saturday, July 27.
Triathlon stars and enthusiastic amateurs are attracted by a unique venue in the surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE, which belongs to the worldwide CHALLENGEFAMILY series, is coming back to Prague for the third time. Last year, the race was very popular – a total number of 1500 athletes started. “This year, we have increased the capacity, so we hope that all interested people can join the race. Especially the interest of professionals within CHALLENGEFAMILY series is growing every year,” says Tomáš Vrzák, the race director.
Last year, the main race FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE MIDDLE was dominated by the Spanish world champion Javier Gomez and the Belgian Katrien Vestuyft. Czech triathletes Lukáš Kočař, Petr Soukup and Simona Křivánková finished among top ten. Also this year, renowned triathletes will appear at the start of the race. Australian Mirinda Carfrae, the triple world champion in Ironman, and her husband Tim O’Donnell, the world long triathlon champion, have promised to participate. “We both love to race in Europe, but we haven’t been to the Czech Republic yet. We are really looking forward to Prague and to the race in its historical centre. Last year, we both managed to win our category in one race and we will try it in Prague as well,” promises Carfrae. Also the rising triathlon star, the 21-year-old German triathlete Frederic Funk, will fight for his first victory in the CHALLENGEFAMILY series.
“Of course, Czech top athletes will not be missing as well. Petr Soukup will start in elite category for the first time, and Lukáš Kočař wants to attack the medal positions,” adds Vrzák.
As in previous years, various competitions are prepared – FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE MIDDLE, SCOTT CHALLENGETRY-ATHLON, HERVIS CHALLENGEJUNIOR and CHALLENGEPRAGUE RELAYS.
The main race FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE MIDDLE consists of 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling and 21.1 km running. SCOTT CHALLENGETRY-ATHLON is designed for athletes who love challenges and at the same time do not dare to compete at the full-length track – the distances at this race are shorter. Popular team race CHALLENGEPRAGUE RELAYS will not be missing as well, such as HERVIS CHALLENGEJUNIOR, running competition for children, which will take place on Střelecký Island in the afternoon on Friday, 26th July. Families with children can look forward to another sports program during the weekend.
Compared to last year, the organizers promise several innovations. “The most important is the new main race bike route, which we will soon introduce. We believe that this route will be very attractive again, as it will take athletes to interesting parts of the Central Bohemian Region. Another novelty will be the extension of the running track, where triathletes will run only three laps instead of four,” explains Vrzák. The facilities for athletes will remain the same, including a unique bike depot that will grow on the Legion Bridge.
Those interested in starting at any of the triathlon races can register at www.challenge-prague.com.
INFORMATION
Date: 27th July 2019
Place: Praha
Start: Střelecký Island
Finish: Vítězná Street
PROGRAM
Friday 26th July
- EXPO – trade show of the sporting equipment and partners of the race (Vítězná and Zborovská Street)
- HERVIS CHALLENGEJUNIOR (Střelecký Island)
Saturday 27th July
- EXPO – trade show of the sporting equipment and partners of the race (Vítězná and Zborovská Street)
- TRY-ATHLON (0.38 km swim, 18 km bike, 4,2 km run)
- FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE MIDDLE (1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run)
- PRAGUE RELAYS (three members, 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run)
About CHALLENGEPRAGUE
CHALLENGEPRAGUE is Czech Republic’s largest triathlon event, attracting nearly thousands of participants and spectators. CHALLENGEPRAGUE is a unique race in the city centre of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Swimming in a river with a view on Prague castle, transition area on a bridge in the city centre, and running in the historical streets of the capital. That’s FORD CHALLENGEPRAGUE!
About CHALLENGEFAMILY
Based in Amberg, Germany, CHALLENGEFAMILY is the leading global triathlon festival race series. With over 40 races annually across 26 host countries, CHALLENGEFAMILY is the fastest growing mass endurance triathlon brand in the world. CHALLENGEFAMILY offers “events for everyone” with a “festival character,” so that everyone can share in the triathlon experience, from professionals to age-groupers.
