Challenge Family pushes further in to Australia with Challenge Shepparton Announced

21 MARCH 2014 -  A key part of Australian long course triathlon tradition will continue  with today’s announcement of Challenge Shepparton, taking place on 16 November 2014.

The 1.9km swim, 90km ride and  21.1km run triathlon will build on Shepparton tradition, but will offer a  completely new course, with the event being held at the iconic Victoria Park  Lake,  Shepparton. Click here to view course.

Following the single-lap swim  in the beautiful Victoria Park Lake, the fast, flat bike course is two 45km  laps through Shepparton’s iconic rural landscapes. The run course consists of  three laps of  lake, river and bush trails with the finish, complete with  legendary Shepparton crowds, on the banks of Victoria Park Lake in the centre  of town.

“Through the endeavours of the  McPherson Media Group, with support from Council, it is exciting to announce  that not only will a long course race continued to be offered in Shepparton,  but it  will be held in a brand new location,” explains Mayor Jenny Houlihan.  “Finally competitors will have the opportunity to race in and around our  beautiful iconic Victoria Park Lake.”

McPherson Media Group and  Council recognise the magnitude and importance of such an event to the  Shepparton community, and this newly formed partnership is a positive step in  securing the  long-term future of a long course race in Shepparton.

“When we heard the Shepparton  Triathlon Club was unable to stage an event this year we at the Shepparton News  knew we had to do what we could to help secure the 2014 event”, explains  McPherson Media CEO, Damian Trezise.

“We’re really pleased the new  event has been accepted into the Challenge Family global series. We’re working  with Council and SuperSprint, the professional race organiser behind the  sell-out  Challenge Melbourne race, to deliver a first-rate race that everyone  expects in Shepparton. We will work with local athletes and businesses keen to  help the Shepparton tradition of running  successful triathlon events”, explains  Mr Trezise.

Challenge Family CEO, Felix  Walchshöfer, said he was delighted to welcome another important part of  Australia’s triathlon legacy to the Challenge Family.

“Shepparton has a long history  of triathlon with legendary support from the community and athletes. It’s an  honour to be able to continue this tradition and announce Challenge Shepparton  on an  exciting new course working with a community that is clearly so  passionate about triathlon,” he said. “Shepparton joins Forster, also a key  part of Australia’s triathlon legacy and home to  Challenge Forster alongside  Challenge Batemans Bay, Challenge Melbourne and Challenge Gold Coast.”

Online entries for the event  are open at  www.challengeshepparton.com.au.

ABOUT  CHALLENGE FAMILY
The Challenge Family series of triathlons now  features 27 full and half distance races around the world, including the  world’s largest long distance triathlon “Challenge Roth in Germany. The  birthplace of the Challenge Family, Challenge Roth now features over 5,500  athletes and 220,000 spectators and home to both world records held by Andreas  Raelert (GER) and Chrissie  Wellington (GBR). Since 2002, races throughout  Europe, UK, Australasia, Asia, South America and North America have joined  Roth. Together they provide athletes with a new experience of  long distance  racing with a strong focus on athlete and spectator experience, giving back to  the community while respecting the legacy of sport and being committed to its  continued growth. For  further information on Challenge Family visit  www.challenge-family.com.