Challenge Family Welcomes First Race in Central Asia - Challenge Samarkand

Tuesday 17 January 2023

Challenge Family enters Central Asia for the first time with the launch of Challenge Samarkand. The new middle distance race in Uzbekistan will take place on 16-17 September, working with the Uzbekistan Triathlon Federation to take the sport of triathlon in the region to the next level. 

"We enormously look forward to working closely together with the enthusiastic, passionate and inspiring team of Challenge Samarkand and we are proud of this new race in our portfolio," said Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam. "Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world dating back to the eighth century BC. The tradition in this region is huge and its history is very rich. Obviously, athletes competing in Challenge Samarkand can prepare for an experience they won't soon forget. From Challenge Family perspective, we think it is exciting to explore areas together that are still unknown to many of us."

Challenge Samarkand will take place in and around one of the world’s most iconic locations. "For more than two millennia, our city was a key point on the Great Silk Road between China and Europe, as well as one of the main centres of science in the medieval east," said managing director, Yelena Kun. "Athletes will swim a unique course in one of the biggest purpose-built rowing canals in the world and make sure not to forget to enjoy the ancient sights of the UNESCO World Heritage Area included in the bike course. This is the first and only Challenge Family race in Central Asia and athletes from all over the world can enjoy the unique Uzbek culture, delicious food and national monuments. During the race athletes pass among others a monument to the King of the 14th century, Amir Temur, sitting on his throne, the Registan Ensemble (one of the most famous monuments in Central Asia), the architectural monument of Bibi Khanum (built from 1399-1404) and the ancient market Afrosjab. We are ready to welcome all triathletes. Triathlon is a sport for those people who know how to dream and how to believe in themselves." 

Samarkand is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is the same age as the cities of Babylon and Rome. Samarkand has a powerful beauty and poets and historians of the past called it 'Rome of the East', 'the beauty of sublunary countries' and 'the pearl of the Eastern Muslim World'. Today Samarkand is a treasure-trove of unique antiquity and spirit. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the abundance of material and spiritual values. Unique monuments of ancient architecture, heritage of scientific and arts schools plus artisan workshops are attracting increasing numbers of visitors from around the world.

Challenge Samarkand will take place on 16-17 September 2023. More info on the race, the course, travel options and registration at www.challenge-samarkand.com.

CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Greatman Kornik

Kornik, Poland

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

The Gauntlet Belvoir Castle Triathlon

Belvoir Castle, United Kingdom

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

TriBourne 113

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Garmin Tri Tour Goldap

Goldap, Poland

Route 66 Half

Springfield, IL, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Krakow

Kraków, Poland

70.3 Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

70.3 Lapu Lapu

Cebu, Philippines

70.3 Hradec Kralove

Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Julie Derron Wins IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz 2025

Julie Derron Wins IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz 2025

Monday 14 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The 2025 IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz, held on Sunday, July 13th in the Basque Country of Spain, saw a commanding victory in the women's professional race and some fierce competition in the age-group categories. more

Kat Matthews, Harry Palmer Crowned IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea Champions

Kat Matthews, Harry Palmer Crowned IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea Champions

Sunday 13 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The South Coast of Wales was the sunny setting for this weekend’s race, as the IRONMAN Pro Series™ landed in the UK for the first time ever. Harry Palmer of Great Britain retained his IRONMAN® 70.3® Swansea title, while Kat Matthews claimed her second IRONMAN Pro Series win of the season. more

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

On Sunday, 13 July, nearly 60 professional triathletes will head to the south coast of Wales for the first time to compete in the IRONMAN®?70.3® Swansea triathlon, the 12th event in the 2025 IRONMAN® Pro Series. The event will offer a maximum of 2,500 points towards IRONMAN® Pro Series standings, a $50,000 USD?event total pro prize purse, and two slots per gender for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Nice, France. more

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz invites you to the spectacular cultural capital of northern Spain's Basque Country! With over a decade of triathlon heritage, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a well-known triathlon playground offering astonishing natural landscapes, rich culture, unforgettable Basque gastronomy, and the most passionate and vibrant fans that will encourage you until the finish line. more

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.