The global Challenge Family triathlon series heads to Melbourne, Australia this weekend for its inaugural event.
The Scody Challenge Melbourne event is set to be one of the most exciting events of the season. The event has attracted a very competitive international field with entries selling out in less than a week after they went on sale in May last year. With over 1400 competitors including more than 30 elites (as of Friday 24/1/2014), the event will kick off just before sunrise at Brighton Beach, setting the stage for a magnificent finish to this first long course triathlon to be held in the inner city region.
The Scody Challenge Melbourne event will comprise a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle, and 21.1km run, together with a prize purse of over AUD$35,000 - one of the largest professional prize purses in Australia.
The men's field features several leading Australian athletes including Tim Berkel (AUS) who enjoyed a string of podium finishes in 2013 and is a two-time Challenge Copenhagen champion. He is joined by Chris Kemp (AUS), 2013 Asia-Pacific Champion at the Ironman 70.3 distance and Clayton Fettell (AUS), one of the upcoming stars who boasts one of the fastest swim/cycle combinations in the world.
The women's field features several international and Australian champions, with Caroline Steffen (SUI) holder of the second fastest Ironman time ever, headlining the field along with current Ironman Australia champion, Rebecca Hoschke (AUS) fresh from her win at Challenge Forster in November. Annabel Luxford (AUS) 3rd at Challenge Forster in 2013 will also be racing.
"We are looking forward to welcoming such an international field of exceptional athletes to Melbourne for what should be a spectacular event in the bayside area," says Scody Challenge Melbourne event director David Hansen. "The response since the event announcement in April has been unbelievably positive, and we hope the competitors have a fantastic race experience."
