Madrid, September 22nd, 2019. The Spaniard Víctor Del Corral (08:52:48) won the long distance men’s category at CHALLENGE MADRID 2019. The American, Lisa Roberts (09:54:56), was first to cross the finish line in the women’s category. Pello Osoro (04:09:10) and Eva Valero (04:54:39) were winners of the middle distance.
The long distance race kicked off on Sunday, September 22 at 08:15 in the Pantano de San Juan (Pelayos de la Presa). Having completed a 3.8km swim, athletes left the transition zone to start a 180km bike course with 2,600m of positive climbing, and concluded the race with a marathon run (42,195km). A total of 226km.
Later in the day, the middle distance race started at 13:15 in the Pantano de San Juan. The course was very similar to the long distance, but with half the kilometers. The triathletes completed a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike course followed by a 21km run. The bike course took athletes through more than 20 municipalities in the Sierra Oeste of Madrid and culminated in the Casa de Campo in Madrid. After transition, athletes began the final run through the most emblematic places of Madrid, which included Calle Mayor, Palacio Real, Plaza de España, and Meta in the emblematic Km 0 of the Puerta del Sol. Due to rain during the morning and for reasons of visibility and nautical safety, the start of CHALLENGE MADRID 2019 was delayed by 30 minutes.
The Mallorcan Joan Nadal (09:00:16) and the Italian Domenico Passuello (09:07:21) completed the long distance podium in the men's category. Miriam Van Reijen (10:13:21) and Verena Walter (10:17:59) came second and third in the women's category. In the middle distance, Ariel Hernandez (04:17:45) and Javier Martin (04:25:45) were second and third to cross the finish line. In the female category, Rocio Escudero (05:25:31) came second, followed by Marta Horrillo (05:29:35) in third place. The winning team in the long distance relay was David Toro Watches (08:48:51). In the half distance relay, Team Criptana Cupra (04:31:43) claimed victory.
Unfortunately, both the champion and runner-up of last year’s CHALLENGE MADRID, TImothy Van Houtem and Pablo Dapena, didn’t reach the Puerta del Sol. The Spaniard had a flat tire just a few kilometers from T1. The Belgian suffered two falls on the bike course and after the second fall, he was sadly forced to quit the race and was transferred to a hospital in Madrid. He is currently well, but still under observation and waiting to be discharged.
This year's edition of CHALLENGE MADRID not only distributed 40.000€ in prize money, but was also a qualifying event for next year’s THE CHAMPIONSHIP to be held in Samorin, Slovakia, in May 2020.