Luke McKenzie, Radka Vodickova win CHALLENGE Asia-Pac Champs Taiwan

Tuesday 20 November 2018
Held in near perfect conditions, the second Challenge Family Asia Pacific Championship held in Taitung Taiwan, was a huge success. The event attracted close to 1,000 athletes from all over the globe. The crown went to Luke McKenzie in the professional men’s race, while Radka Kahlefeldt from the Czech Republic stole the show in the professional women’s race leading from the gun and never looking back.

Luke McKenzie went into the race with a rib injury after a bike crash earlier in the week and was uncertain he could even start, let alone win. “If you had asked me on Friday I would have said impossible. During the week I hurt my ribs and I honestly thought I had no chance of even making the start line”.

McKenzie ended up putting together one of his finest performances ever over this distance, but he didn’t have it all his own way. Young Australian prodigy, Max Neumann, made him work for the win. “The youngstar Max Neumann made us all work hard and it took me most of the race to catch him. I am really excited about Australia to see where Max can take his racing there in the future”. The ever-consistent Mike Phillips of New Zealandrounded up the podium in the men’s professional race.

The women’s race was a slightly different affair with Radka Kahlefeldt taking control of the race from the start and continuing to gain more and more time on her competitors. Kahlefeldt has had an amazing comeback since the birth of her baby daughter, Ruby. Her finish time of 4:09:01 was just over 10 minutes faster than her nearest rival, multiple IM World Champion, Mirinda Carfrae from Australia. Kahlefeldt was over the moon to take the win. ‘I am really happy to win Challenge Asia Pacific in Taitung. Such a beautiful race and well done to fellow ‘super mums’ Mirinda Carfrae and Beth McKenzie”.

The fact that the top three women are all mothers to beautiful baby girls was something quite spectacular.

Results

Men
1. Luke McKenzie (AUS) 3:48:03 S 25:30 T1 3:44 B 2:02:50 T2 1:43 R 1:14:16 – $8,000
2. Max Neumann (AUS) 3:49:25 S 24:10 T1 3:22 B 2:03:15 T2 1:26 R 1:17:10 – $5,000
3. Mike Phillips (NZL) 3:50:49 S 25:28 T1 3:43 B 2:03:02 T2 1:25 R 1:17:10 – $3,600
4. Timothy O’Donnell (USA) 3:55:36 24:14 T1 3:26 B 2:04:31 T2 1:33 R 1:21:50 – $2,400
5. Jaroslav Kovacic ( ) 3:57:47 S 25:25 T1 3:54 B 2:02:55 T2 1:25 R 1:24:06 – $1,500

Women
1. Radka Vodickova (CZE) 4:09:01S 27:25 T1 3:54 B 2:14:37 T2 1:42 R 1:21:21 – $8,000
2. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:19:15 S 29:48 T1 4:09 B 2:16:59 T2 1:43 R 1:26:34 – $5,000
3. Beth McKenzie (USA) 4:22:22 S 31:55 T1 3:53 B 2:24:03 T2 1:50 R 1:20:38 – $3,600
4. Naomi Washizu (TWN) 4:34:47 S 30:06 T1 5:04 B 2:29:47 T2 1:31 R 1:28:17 *F 35-39
5. Marion Tuin (NED) 4:55:07 S 32:28 T1 4:32 B 2:32:50 T2 1:59 R 1:43:17 – $2,400.

This was the first time the Challenge Family Asia Pacific Championship was held in Taiwan and it was a wonderful experience for all. The athletes had such a great time, from the extraordinary views of the East Coast, to sampling the local delicacies on offer and enjoying the amazing hospitality of the people and their beloved family and friends.

Embracing its 6th year of hosting events in Taitung, Challenge Taiwan had over 5,500 participants at its events this year. Challenge Taiwan’s goal is to introduce Taiwan to more and more participants from all over the world, and help every triathlete who visits, enjoy the festival, conquer the great challenge, and most of all, fall in love with triathlon.
CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Frysman

Reaklif, Warns, Netherlands

Laponia Triathlon

Gällivare, Sweden

Stone Extreme

Lago d'Iseo / Passo Paradiso, Italy

Swedeman Xtreme

Östernoren, Sweden

Odyssey

St Neots, United Kingdom

Challenge Roth

Roth, Germany

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Tri Tour El Pont de Suert

El Pont de Suert, Spain

La Tour Geneve

Geneve, Switzerland

Garmin Tri Tour Elblag

Elblag, Poland

Great White North

Hubbles Lake, Alberta, Canada

Outlaw Half Holkham

Holkham Hall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

70.3 Muskoka

Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

70.3 Jonkoping

Jönköping, Sweden

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

Van Riel's Dominance: Marten Van Riel controlled the men's race from the swim, building a significant lead on the bike and maintaining it through the run. This win also qualified him for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. Michele Bortolamedi (ITA) finished second, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN) took third. more

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN European Championship for professional men took place in Frankfurt today, making the 11th race of the IRONMAN Pro Series. In a nail-biting race right up to the bitter end, it was Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt who took the tape, claiming his second straight win in Frankfurt, and second regional IRONMAN Championship title this year. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.