Strong pro field expected at CHALLENGE MELBOURNE: spectacle guaranteed!

Friday 12 April 2019
With CHALLENGE MELBOURNE approaching this Sunday, April 14th, it’s going to be an exciting race for both athletes and spectators: A remarkably strong pro field will be on the starting line, with each and every athlete prepared to go all out and claim victory. Of course it’s not just the strong pro field that makes this event so attractive, but also the incredible venue where this race takes place.
 
With 19 male pros and 10 female pros, the field is definitely tough and powerful. One of the biggest names in the men’s race for the 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and last but not least the 21.1 km run, is Mike Phillips from New Zealand. Nevertheless, Phillips can expect a hard battle against a number of Australian guys including Joe Gambles, Luke McKenzie, Matt Burton and Levi Maxwell.
 
They’re all going to be racing at this fabulous event in the spectacular surroundings of Melbourne, the renowned sporting capital of the world and the first long-course triathlon to be held in the inner city region of Bayside. CHALLENGE MELBOURNE features a 1-lap protected ocean swim in Port Phillip Bay, a 3-lap bike ride on the picturesque and famous Beach Road followed by a 3-lap run overlooking the bay. The course is flat and therefore very fast.
 
In the women's race, it’s likely to be the Czech athlete Radka Kahlefeldt, who’s in with one of the best chances to claim victory in Melbourne. She’s 'on fire' right now with numerous wins under her belt this season already. For Kahlefeldt, CHALLENGE MELBOURNE is one of the most important races this season and she’s eager to continue her success.
 
Kahlefeldt will of course be faced with some very strong competition in Melbourne. Australian Annabel Luxford will be a mightly challenge, not to mention fellow Australian Grace Thek and Amelia Watkinson from New Zealand.
 
CHALLENGE MELBOURNE is one of the last races to qualify for CHALLENGE FAMILY's THE CHAMPIONSHIP, which will be held on June 2nd in Samorin, Slovakia.

About Challenge Family

CHALLENGE FAMILY is the fastest growing global triathlon series. With 34 full and middle distances in 23 different countries, CHALLENGE FAMILY is changing the face of triathlon around the world. Due to spectacular courses in iconic destinations, no CHALLENGE FAMILY race is like another. Focusing on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities, CHALLENGE FAMILY races provide memorable experiences that capture all the excitement and emotions of this inspirational sport.
CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Oxman

North Canterbury, New Zealand

Patagonman

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

Fodaxman

Nova Veneza State of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Saharaman

Taghit, Béchar, Algeria

Challenge Israman

Eilat, Israel

Challenge Sir Bani Yas

Sir Baniyas Island, United Arab Emirates

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Himalayan Xtreme

Pokhara, Nepal

Ironman Arizona

Tempe, Arizona, United States

Ironman Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico

Ironman Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman Taiwan

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman South African

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Vietnam

Da Nang, Viet Nam

Ironman Jacksonville

Jacksonville Florida, United States

Hervey Bay 100

Hervey Bay QLD, Australia

Oil Man Texas Triathlon

Montgomery, TX, United States

Challenge Canberra

Canberra, Australia

Gran Jaguar

Tikal Natinal Park, Guatemala

Challenge Florianopolis

Florianopolis, Brazil

Clash Daytona

Daytona, FL, United States

Rotorua Suffer

Rotorua, New Zealand

Alpha Win Sarasota

Sarasota, FL, United States

Tauranga Half

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tweed Coast Enduro

Pottsville NSW, Australia

70.3 Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay, South Africa

70.3 Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, Viet Nam

70.3 Valdivia

Valdivia, Chile

70.3 Aracaju Sergipe

Aracaju, Brazil

70.3 Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

70.3 Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain

70.3 Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

70.3 La Quinta

La Quinta California, United States

70.3 Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

70.3 Florida

Haines City, Florida, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Announces Evolution to 2026 IRONMAN World Championship Age-Group Qualification System

IRONMAN Announces Evolution to 2026 IRONMAN World Championship Age-Group Qualification System

Friday 14 Nov 2025 [Triathlon News]

RONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today released comprehensive data and insights to support transparency and evaluation into the current results of the new IRONMAN World Championship® Performance-Based Qualifying System. Introduced earlier this year, for the 2026 qualifying cycle, the system was designed with a commitment to ongoing monitoring, with the intention of evolving it as needed. more

IRONMAN Arizona Pro Start List

IRONMAN Arizona Pro Start List

Thursday 13 Nov 2025 [Triathlon News]

The 2025 Paradox IRONMAN® Arizona triathlon returns to the Salt River Valley with over 2,000 registered athletes set to take on the final edition of the longstanding IRONMAN event. Race weekend kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 13, with athlete check-in at the IRONMAN Village Expo located at 80 W Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, Ariz. On Sunday, Nov. 16, athletes will begin their IRONMAN journey throughout Tempe and the greater Phoenix area. more

25 Age-Group Athletes Take Titles at 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Marbella, Spain

25 Age-Group Athletes Take Titles at 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Marbella, Spain

Tuesday 11 Nov 2025 [Triathlon News]

The South of Spain hosted some of the top athletes in the world over the weekend, as 25 athletes captured 2025 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship triathlon titles in Marbella, Spain on Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9. More than 6,300 athletes from 114 different countries, regions, and territories competed in Marbella. The overall Age-Group World Champions crowns went to Switzerland’s Samuel Studer (M18-24) and Corina Hengartner (F45-49) who finished in 4:06:14 and more

Kristian Blummenfelt Claims 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series Men's Title

Kristian Blummenfelt Claims 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series Men's Title

Sunday 09 Nov 2025 [Triathlon News]

Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt clinched victory in the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series™, claiming the title for the first time and taking home a bonus payout of $200,000 USD. Casper Stornes (NOR) and Kristian Høgenhaug (DEN) completed the men’s IRONMAN Pro Series podium, receiving a bonus payout of $130,000 USD and $85,000 USD respectively. more

A Race for the Ages: Jelle Geens Secures 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Title in Footrace to the Fin

A Race for the Ages: Jelle Geens Secures 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Title in Footrace to the Fin

Sunday 09 Nov 2025 [Triathlon News]

Jelle Geens (BEL) made it back-to-back IRONMAN®?70.3® World Championship titles in Marbella, Spain, edging out Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) by the narrowest of margins to win the 2025 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Geens claimed the world title by just three seconds, the second closest finish in the history of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, with Geens and Blummenfelt pushing each other until the very end on the streets of Marbella. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.