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

Embrunman

Embrun, France

Mi Titanium

Grand Rapids, MI, United States

Peasantman

Penn Yan, NY, United States

Gelreman

Arnhem, Netherlands

OceanLava Poland

Bydgoszcz - Borówno, Poland

Olympos X

Olympus MT, Greece

KnappenMan

Lausitzer Lakeland, Germany

Hardman

Killarney, Ireland

Icon Xtreme

Livigno, Italy

Austria Tri Podersdorf

Podersdorf, Austria

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Vichy

Vichy, France

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Wales

Tenby, Wales, United Kingdom

Ironman Maryland

Cambridge, Maryland, United States

Ironman Italy

Cervia, Italy

AXtri

Aurlandsvangen, Norway

Fall Creek Falls Half

Spencer, TN, United States

Alpha Win June Lake

June Lake CA, United States

Aberfeldy Tri

Kenmore, Loch Tay, United Kingdom

Mountain Man

Flagstaff, AZ, United States

Vercorsman XL

Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans, France

Emede Valladolid

Valladolid, Spain

IronStar 113 Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation

Allgau Triathlon

Immenstadt, Germany

370 Lakeside Triathlon

Saint Charles, MO, United States

70.3 Duisburg

Duisburg, Germany

70.3 Hradec Kralove

Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

70.3 Northern California

Redding CA, United States

70.3 Leipzig

leipzig, Germany

70.3 Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

70.3 Vichy

Vichy, France

70.3 Zell am See Kaprun

Zell am See, Austria

70.3 Poznan

Poznan, Poland

70.3 Baku

Baku, Azerbaijan

70.3 Knokke Heist

Knokke-Heist, Belgium

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Laura Philipp, Jonas Schomburg Win IRONMAN Kalmar Sweden

Laura Philipp, Jonas Schomburg Win IRONMAN Kalmar Sweden

Saturday 15 Aug 2026 [Triathlon News]

An idyllic Swedish morning set the scene for the male and female professional athletes this Saturday at the 2026 IRONMAN® Kalmar triathlon, the 13th stop on the Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series™ circuit. The race delivered exhilarating dynamics, as many pros were going for their final chance to qualify for an IRONMAN World Championship, Kona spot. The renowned spectator support did not disappoint, more

IRONMAN Pro Series Kalmar Sweden Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series Kalmar Sweden Start List

Friday 14 Aug 2026 [Triathlon News]

The Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series will arrive in the coastal city of southeastern Sweden on Saturday 15 August. As the 13th stop of the Series, and the final opportunity for athletes to secure their ticket to the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, the race will be an epic showdown of some of the sport’s top triathletes. more

IRONMAN 70.3 North California Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 North California Pro Start List

Friday 14 Aug 2026 [Triathlon News]

Welcome to IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California presented by Dignity Health! On behalf of myself and our entire Ironman team, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the Inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California presented by Dignity Health! It’s not often that we can truly say this will be the first race for everyone, more

IRONMAN 70.3 Hradec Králové CZE Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 Hradec Králové CZE Pro Start List

Friday 14 Aug 2026 [Triathlon News]

When the idea to bring the IRONMAN race to Hradec Králové first emerged a few years ago, it was a bold vision. Today, we know it has become a reality that annually brings together thousands of athletes, volunteers, partners, and residents of our city and region. Furthermore, this year's edition is exceptional in many ways. A record-breaking 3,000 triathletes from 50 countries will travel to Hradec Králové, together creating the unique atmosphere of a global sporting festival. more

Schoeman & Van Coevorden Win IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu

Schoeman & Van Coevorden Win IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu

Monday 10 Aug 2026 [Triathlon News]

Henri Schoeman and Natalie Van Coevorden have claimed victory in the men’s and women’s professional races at IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu, with both athletes leading from start to finish to take the wins in the Philippines. South Africa’s Schoeman made it back-to-back IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu victories, crossing the line in 4:08:53, almost four minutes ahead of Sebastian Fuchs, with Ben Hamilton third. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.