The Nordic Summer has finally made it to Denmark, and the two cities of Billund and Herning are getting ready to host more than 1,500 athletes from all over the world racing at the sellout Challenge Denmark this Saturday 13 June.
When the sun rises on Saturday morning, the numerous athletes – professional as well as age-groupers – will gather around the calm and beautiful Fuglsang Lake in Herning. "In Herning we're looking very much forward to welcoming Challenge Denmark and all the athletes, who I know have been through some hard training to be a part of this. With the swim start located at Fuglsang Lake, the event will get close to optimal conditions in regard to the sport, and the spectators," said Mayor of Herning municipality, Lars Krarup.
In both the full and half distance races, the athletes will follow the flat roads of Jutland to The Children's Capital, Billund, where Mayor of Billund municipality, Ib Kristensen, is looking forward to welcoming them. "In Billund municipality we're looking very much forward to the premier of Challenge Denmark Billund-Herning", he said. "The cities involved in this event have done an enormous work to prepare for this, and I'm sure that both participants and the numerous spectators will get an amazing day in Billund. In the same way, we're convinced that Challenge Denmark will develop in the future years and become a significant event in Denmark".
The professional field is impressive and includes athletes such as Dirk Bockel and Mary Beth Ellis who will both be racing to win this race. On top of a pro list with lots of big, upcoming names, are also three of the sport's biggest legends. Chris "Macca" McCormack, Thomas Hellriegel and Luc Van Lierde have put aside decades of rivalry as they recently announced that they will be racing on a relay – together.
The inaugural Challenge Denmark was sold out several weeks before the race, but Race Director Claus Andersen said his focus was now on the race itself. "Right now our most important job is to make sure that every single athlete gets an amazing day on course, and leaves the finish line party with a feeling of wanting to come back next year", he explains, and continues "of course we're both happy and proud that we managed to get the race sold out. No one expected this from us as a first year's race – but these great numbers are worth nothing if we don't give both athletes and spectators an unforgettable day".
Challenge Denmark is part of the worldwide triathlon series Challenge Family that has the world's biggest race, Challenge Roth, as their impressive flagship. CEO at Challenge Family, Zibi Szlufcik, is proud to see how the Danish team has handled the job so far. "We're back in Scandinavia and we're back with an event that will take triathlon to a new level in Denmark. Challenge Denmark is a true celebration of triathlon and represents Challenge Family's commitment to inclusiveness with both full and half distance races, Challenge Junior, Challenge Kids and Challenge Women. The involvement with Lalandia perfectly echoes our core value of family focus. With a sold out field of over 1,500 athletes from throughout the world, including some of the biggest names in the sport, we are very much looking forward to bringing a quality race experience to Northern Europe."
Also the Danish partners at Sport Event Denmark are happy with the race and are looking forward to experience the event. "With Challenge Denmark taking place in Billund and Herning this weekend, we will get this part of the country on the landmark in regard to triathlon events. The race is sold out, and the entire set-up seems promising for both spectators and participants", says Lars Lundov, CEO at Sport Event Denmark.
There will be a live coverage of Challenge Denmark starting from 11.30am local time. You can find the link for live coverage on www.challengedenmark.dk.
