Challenge San Gil ready to take long course triathlon to the next level in Mexico

The stage is set for the first ever CHALLENGEFAMILY event in Mexico on June 21st, CHALLENGESANGIL. With a powerful professional field vying for a share of the $45,000 prize purse and more than 900 triathletes of all backgrounds and abilities eager to test the tough yet inviting San Gil course, the weekend will see unprecedented excitement in an area well-known for its triathlon heritage.

Originally hosting Sprint and Olympic distance events, Triathlon San Gil expanded six years ago to offer the Half distance to the race’s loyal participants looking to push their personal endurance limits across what is arguably Mexico’s most challenging bike course. Now, under the auspice of CHALLENGEFAMILYAMERICAS, the San Gil event, hosted in an exclusive private community resort in close proximity to Mexico City’s burgeoning multisport population, combines a 21-year tradition of excellence with the CHALLENGEFAMILY ‘s focus on providing a new style of athlete-focused triathlon experience around the globe.

The professional field for Sunday’s race continues to grow, with Mexican veteran and multi-time champion Arturo Garza (MEX) confirming his participation. Garza has claimed victory at the San Gil Triathlon event in multiple formats including Olympic, Middle distance (68.8K) format, and finally in 2014 as a Half distance event. This year Arturo’s talent will be tested like never before, with tough competition coming from a new generation of triathletes including Mauricio Mendez (MEX) and two young top contenders from a the USA, Justin Metzler (USA) and Rodolphe Von Berg Jr. (USA).

The start list also boasts three more international elites: Victor Arroyo Bugallo (ESP), a well-known Spanish professional with experience on the Mexican race circuit; Canadian Nathan Killam and newcomer AJ Baucco (USA), an American triathlete focused on fine-tuning his speed across the Half distance.

From Mexico, a long list of up and coming elite athletes will toe the line, many of them testing the CHALLENGESANGIL course for the first time and all of them looking for a piece of the valuable professional prize purse. These include Oliver Gonzalez (MEX), a veteran of the San Gil podium, plus podium hopefuls Esteban Rosas (MEX), Vinicio Ibarra (MEX), Jose Javier Sanchez (MEX), Gil Rivera (MEX), Jorge Alberto Vazquez (MEX), Alfonso Magaña (MEX) and Diego Fernandez (MEX).

The women ´s race will feature fierce competition from a tidy yet talented field of international pros. Headlining the women’s start is American Lauren Goss (USA), fresh off a second place finish at the iconic Escape From Alcatraz event. She’ll face challenges from Anna Cleaver (NZL), seeking redemption after illness forced her to DNF at CHALLENGEWILLIAMSBURG, plus fellow Americans Kathy Rakel (USA) and Sarah Cameto (USA), as well as top local elites Cecilia Perez (MEX) and Fabiola Corona (MEX).

PROFESSIONAL MEN
1.- Nathan Killam
2.- Mauricio Mendez
3.- Brian Fleischmann
4.- Oliver Gonzalez
5.- Jorge Fuentes
7.- Victor Arroyo Bugallo
8.- Vinicio Ibarra Coria
9.- Esteban Rosas
10.- Diego Fernandez
11.- Javier Sanchez Cornejo
12.- Justin Metzler
13.- AJ Baucco
14.- Gil Rivera Morales
15.- Alberto Vazquez Arellano
16.- Alfonso Magaña
17.- Rodolphe von Berg
18.- Arturo Garza Heiras

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
1.- Fabiola Corona
2.- Anna Cleaver
3.- Lauren Goss
4.- Kathy Rakel
5.- Cecilia Perez Flores
6.- Sarah Cameto