Race Preview: Challenge Melbourne

Challenge Melbourne is this weekend! With a brand new course at St Kilda, Challenge Melbourne Triathlon Half Distance Championship Asia Pacific is set to be a huge race. Here’s what to expect on the day.

Challenge Melbourne Swim – 1.9km

Get ready for a beach start in waves, ensuring there’s plenty of room for you in the beach and in the water.

Starting at the famous St Kilda Sea Baths, you’ll swim alongside the beach and beneath the St Kilda pier. With plenty of spectators to cheer you on, you’ll then pass back along the way you’ve come. You’ll exit the water and make your way towards the first transition at the beachside Catani Gardens.

Challenge Melbourne Bike Leg – 90km

This 3-lap bike course follows the line of Port Phillip Bay, and it’s truly beautiful. You’ll start by heading North just until Middle Park Beach, where you’ll turn and go back the way you’ll come. Luckily, the course is very easy to understand and you can’t go wrong, following the beach along Beach Road all the way past Sandringham to Black Rock.

The entire course runs along Beach Road, and the road will be fully closed off to traffic for the event.

Challenge Melbourne Run Course – 21.1km

The two-lap run course also runs along the beach, helping keep you cool thanks to the sea breeze if the weather is exceptionally warm. Each lap is just over 10.55km long, and you’ll run south parallel to the beach until the Elwood Boat Ramp, where you’ll turn back towards St Kilda and run along the bay trail.

After your first lap you’ll head around the Rotunda and continue back down to Elwood. On your second lap, you’ll be ushered to turn right toward the bright red finish chute lined with cheering spectators.

Ellie Salthouse loves Challenge Melbourne

The course may be new this year, but the expert organisation and fun, encouraging aspect of Challenge Melbourne hasn’t changed. Ellie Salthouse, the women’s winner from last year, is a huge fan of the event.

“My first Challenge Melbourne half experience in 2016 was one I will never forget. Aside from having my first half distance win, Challenge provided a race that was seamlessly organised, and focussed on giving the athletes every opportunity to have a great race,” said Salthouse. “I can never pass up an opportunity to race in Victoria in the summer time and look forward to returning in 2017 to defend my title.”

Who won last year

Women’s results 2016

1st Ellie Salthouse 04:11:03
2nd Natalie Van Coeverden 04:15:14
3rd Carrie Lester 04:19:50

Men’s results 2016

1st Todd Skipworth 03:51:13
2nd Per Bittner 03:56:05
3rd Leon Griffin 03:58:41

Event info

Free beer for all

Each athlete who completes Challenge Melbourne can claim a complimentary stein of beer when they cross the finish line.

Endura’s deal with Challenge Melbourne

Endura, a prestigious sports nutrition brand, has signed a deal with Challenge Melbourne which is great news for you! All competitors will receive a drink bottle and on course nutrition and hydration thanks to Endura.

Aid station stock

All Aid Stations will have halved bananas, Endura Gels, Carman’s Protein Bars, Water, Endura Cola and Electrolyte mix, and Red Bull (Straight Red Bull and Water/Red Bull Mix).

Challenge Sprint course

Challenge Melbourne offers a mini triathlon sprint course for those keen for a fast-paced, short course option. The course is made up of a 700m swim, 30km cycle and 7km run.