The Challenge Family announces first Half-Iron Distance Race in North America

The Challenge Family has announced it will be expanding its reach into the North American market in taking over the St Andrews by the sea Long Course Triathlon  – which takes place this weekend – race in St Andrews, New Brunswick in 2014. Challenge now joins Ironman, Rev3, HITS and a number of independent races in the chase for registration numbers. A Canadian Elite Junior Draft-Legal race, an open-water swim and other events will be part of the festivities across the weekend.

Triathletes in the maritime provinces  and Eastern Québec will welcome Challenge with open arms as there is a lack of well-produced events in the region, forcing many competitors to travel long distances to compete.

The elegant maritime resort town of St Andrews in New Brunswick, Canada is the latest venue to be announced as part of the rapidly growing Challenge Family global series of long distance triathlons. The inaugural Kingsbrae Garden Challenge St Andrews will take place on 6 July 2014 and marks Challenge Family’s first half distance triathlon in North America.

“We’re delighted to work with a local team who already has a proven history in our sport and even more importantly who shares the same ethos as Challenge Family with a strong focus on athlete experience,” said Kathrin Walchshöfer, Challenge Family CEO. “St Andrews is one of New Brunswick’s premier holiday destinations and its close proximity to the major centres of Montreal and Boston in the USA ensure this will be a popular race on Canada’s east coast“

Organisers of the existing TRI St Andrews event will now deliver the new Kingsbrae Garden Challenge St Andrew which will feature a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run over a course that takes in the highlights of the historic region.

Scott Bevington, Challenge St Andrews race manager, said as well as providing an outstanding race experience on North America’s East Coast, Challenge St Andrews also provided a perfect build-up opportunity for athletes training for Challenge Penticton.

“The course is memorable for so many reasons,” he said. “The amazing New Brunswick scenery and history, it’s intensity, the opportunity for spectators to be involved with the athletes throughout plus a finish in the heart of the town. We have no doubt this will become an iconic race for the region. We also look forward to working with our sister race in Penticton on building a whole new triathlon experience for athletes in Canada and the USA.”

Four time world champion, Chris “Macca” McCormack has been following Challenge Family’s growth with interest. “It’s great to see another Challenge race added to the Canadian triathlon calendar.” He said. “I’m heading to Challenge Penticton this August and am super excited to see this historic race return to its true values. I have no doubt that Challenge St Andrews will deliver just as memorable experience over the half distance and I look forward to checking the course out as I’ve heard it’s stunning, with a tough bike and a really varied run.”

Athletes will start and finish their race at the iconic St Andrews landmark, Algonquin Resort, in the heart of the town. The saltwater swim course is in the warm, protected waters of Katy’s Cove, despite the close proximity to the frigid waters found in the Bay of Fundy.

The spectacular bike course follows the highway out of St. Andrews towards historic St. Croix Island and features fast-flowing roads with a few rolling and challenging hills along the way.   The views of the Bay of Fundy are spectacular as you look across the river to the State of Maine in the United States.

The two lap run course will take athletes through all of the major historic sites within the town of St. Andrews including the magnificent championship Algonquin Golf course, the historic Block House cannons, the saltwater marshes and the stunning Kingsbrae Garden. The final stretch will be up hill where athletes will run through the Algonquin Resort property, and under the hotel archway to complete lap one