On the eve of this weekend's Challenge Taiwan half distance triathlon, is the announcement the tropical destination of Taitung will host the full distance Challenge Taiwan on October 24, 2015.
Challenge Taiwan will be held over the same course that winds through the stunning Taitung region with full support from the government and the local community.
The full distance race has been the feature race of the Challenge Taiwan weekend for the past two years but in 2015 organisers decided to separate the events in order to best support the athletes in both distances.
The event has also been announced as the Challenge Family Asian Age Group Championships, a concept welcomed by Challenge Taiwan Race Director Michael Dhulst.
"Long distance, or 226 as we call it in Taiwan, has always been my true passion and I'm very excited to continue to host the event in Taitung, but also grow it to be the Asian Championships.
"I'm looking forward to having a lot of our loyal athletes returning and welcoming many new faces to share this fast and beautiful course with them," said Dhulst.
The Asian Championships will apply to Challenge Taiwan full distance and separately a points system incorporating Challenge Family half distances races in Asia. Full details will be provided on the Challenge Taiwan website shortly.
The race has quickly established itself among the professional athletes who continue to return each year and is now part of their annual racing schedule as evidenced by two of the world's best racing this weekend in New Zealanders Terenzo Bozzone and Dylan McNeice.
Justin Huang, Taitung County Governor, said he was honored and delighted to again support the full distance version of Challenge Taiwan for a third year which will bring an international focus to the region while offering age group athletes in Asia the first opportunity to have their own Championships.
"Challenge Taiwan has been very successful and we are thrilled to announce our continued support of Challenge Family in Asia. We would like to welcome triathlon-lovers from all around the world and will show you the beauty and strength of this island.
"Taiwanese triathletes have shown a great appreciation for long distance racing and particularly in the stunning part of Taiwan in Taitung. We wish to invite athletes from around the world to enjoy what we have to offer, the majestic mountains and beautiful ocean views the course offers making it the ideal event destination to experience," said Mr Huang.
Athletes will begin with a 3.8km two-lap swim in the calm waters of the Lake in Taitung. They will then embark on a fast and rolling two-lap bike course along the stunning ocean coastline before the 42.2km two-lap run that takes competitors on a varied run course through the beautiful lakes, walkways and shaded pathways of Taitung.
General registration will open on Monday, May 4, 2015 at www.challenge-taiwan.com/en.
