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

Challenge Almere Amsterdam

Almere Haven, Netherlands

Blacklake Xtreme

Zabljak, Montenegro

le man full distance

Evian, France

Estrela Xtreme

Manteigas, Portugal

Triathlon de Saint Cirq Lapopie

Saint Cirq Lapopie, France

Triman 226

Olympic Beach, Greece

ANVIL Virginia

Spotsylvania Virginia, United States

BayMan

Mont Saint Michel, France

Greek Hero Xtreme

Corfu, Greece

Spirit of 78

Porto, Portugal

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Wales

Tenby, Wales, United Kingdom

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Ironman Italy

Cervia, Italy

Ironman Maryland

Cambridge, Maryland, United States

Ironman Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN, United States

Ironman Gurye Korea

Gurye, Korea, Republic of

Ironman Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS

Kailua Kona, Hawaii, United States

Ironman Portugal Cascais

Cascais, Portugal

Pumpkinman

South Berwick, ME, United States

Wildlife Loop Tri

Custer Township, SD, United States

Vitruvian

Rutland water, United Kingdom

Challenge Esprit

Montreal, Canada

Challenge Samarkand

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Alpha Win Saugerties

Saugerties NY, United States

South Carinthian Triathlon

Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See, Austria

Toughman

Lake Welch Beach, Stony Point, NY, United States

Bilboa Triathlon

Bilboa, Spain

Barrelman

Niagara Falls, Canada

70.3 Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

70.3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Nice, France

70.3 Dali

Dali Yunnan, China

70.3 Belgrade Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia

70.3 Erkner

Brandenburg, Germany

70.3 Sunshine Coast

Mooloolaba, Australia

70.3 Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA, United States

70.3 Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico

70.3 Italy Emilia Romagna

Cervia, Italy

70.3 Sao Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam: Milan Brons and Kyra Meulenberg win Euro Champs Long Distance

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam: Milan Brons and Kyra Meulenberg win Euro Champs Long Distance

Saturday 12 Sep 2026 [Triathlon News]

In a race that remained thrilling until the very last meters, Almere native Milan Brons claimed a thrilling victory on home turf at the European Championship Long Distance at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. Victory in the women’s field also went to a Dutch athlete, as Kyra Meulenberg took control of the race following an impressively strong marathon. more

Taylor Knibb Becomes a Four-Time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion

Taylor Knibb Becomes a Four-Time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion

Saturday 12 Sep 2026 [Triathlon News]

Taylor Knibb (USA) has dominated the field to win the 2026 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in Nice France, claiming her fourth world title on Saturday. Knibb was untouchable as she took control of the race early on the bike and never looked back, crossing the line to win the World Championship in 4:19:24, more than four minutes ahead of Julie Derron (CHE), with Alanis Siffert (CHE) third. more

IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Nice Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs Nice Pro Start List

Friday 11 Sep 2026 [Triathlon News]

The biggest names in triathlon will go head-to-head on Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i on Saturday 10 October, as more than 55 of the top male professional triathletes battle it out for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship® title. This year’s race will also see the 2026 Experience Oman IRONMAN® Pro Series champion crowned, with 6,000 points on the line for the final race of the season. Live race day coverage of the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship triathlon will be broadcast for free across multiple platform more

IRONMAN Wales Pro Start List

IRONMAN Wales Pro Start List

Friday 11 Sep 2026 [Triathlon News]

With world-renowned spectator support and epic courses, this is the race that legends are made of. Hosted in the charming Welsh seaside village of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, athletes leave as friends in this unique, inviting and truly special destination nicknamed the "Iron Town".  IRONMAN Wales sees Tenby come alive to a stunning sunrise swim on Tenby's sandy North Beach, more

IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast Pro Start List

Friday 11 Sep 2026 [Triathlon News]

Athletes from home and abroad are preparing to hit the course at a sold-out IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast this Sunday 13 September. This weekend’s event will see more than 2,000 athletes take on the 1.9km swim starting and finishing on Mooloolaba Beach, a 90km ride taking in the Sunshine Motorway and a 21.1km run finishing on the Mooloolaba Esplanade. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.