A razor sharp pro field will be crossing swords at GARMIN CHALLENGE HERNING on Saturday June 9th. Anything can happen and there can be no predictions when the National Championships are at stake on both sprint and middle distances. Hundreds of age groupers will be racing side by side with the world elite, sharing the thrill, nervousness and excitement of this event.
One of the strongest pro-fields you could wish for will be racing theirs hearts out to reach the podium in Herning in Denmark on Saturday. The Danish Championship title is at stake on both the sprint and middle distances at GARMIN CHALLENGE HERNING.
Among the favorites are Danish Camilla Pedersen and the Brits Laura Sidall and Frankie Sanjana among the women, while Swedish Jesper Svensson, German Andi Dreitz and Danes Anders "Hightower" Christensen and Thomas Strange are likely to be leading the race for the men's podium.
An hour before the start of the middle distance in Herning, the elite triathletes will prove that sprint distance triathlon is both spectacular, highly entertaining, and spectator friendly. The swimming takes place in the beautiful Lake Fuglsang and is followed by the bike course, which takes the athletes on a 18,6 km scenic route to the city of Herning, where they will run two 2,5 km loops to the finishline right in front of the City Hall.
The event is part of the DC TRI series for the elite in 2018, which contains 3 quality tournaments, through which the Danish champion in the short-distance triathlon 2018 will be determined.
But it's not only the professional athletes who are all warmed up to do their best in Herning. Hundreds of brave age group triathletes have trained long and hard, and on Saturday they will harvest the fruit of their work when they cross the finishline.
Triathlon for all
CHALLENGE DENMARK has made it their mission to create the framework for family friendly triathlon races with a greater focus on the experience than the finish time.
"Triathlon may be hard and challenging. In fact, it should be. But first and foremost, it must be fun and it shouldn’t take over people's lives completely. That's why we have added a Challenge For All with 400 meters of swimming, 20 km of cycling and 5 km of running for those who want to try out triathlon without throwing themselves into the long distances,” says Race Director Claus Vesterby.
Challenge For All takes place on smaller sections of the courses from the main event, so the participants get the same experience - only on a smaller scale.
"Many modern people live a sedentary life. Triathlon training offers a physical counterbalance, with lots of fresh air and exercise. You do not have to do a full distance to be a triathlete. The half distance, or similarly a Challenge For All, is just as great an experience and requires a more affordable number of training hours. But you still get the thrill and satisfaction of exceeding your own expectations. I think that's what makes the sport so popular – that, and the community. It is important to recognise that while triathlon is an individual sport, we see incredibly close friendships in the community and out in the local clubs. We really get to see that support at our races where everyone cheers for each other and contributes to the great atmosphere. It's a party every time. Few people can stand near the finishline without without getting goosebumps and tearful,” says Claus Vesterby.
Integral party for the spectators
There are months and years of hard training behind a race day like the one in Herning on June 9th. And behind every triathlete is a backdrop of patient and supportive family and friends. Therefore, the organizers are very much committed to making the race day their party as well.
"A triathlon race is exciting and fun, but it also involves some waiting time for the spectators. Our partners make sure that there are lots of things around the city, so that both young and old are well-entertained all day,” promises Vesterby.