Dapena, Pallant Win Inaugural CHALLENGE Cape Town

Monday 11 November 2019

Pablo Dapena took the crown in the inaugural CHALLENGE CAPE TOWN on Sunday, when he sprinted to the finish in a time of 3:46:48. The Spaniard finished approx. 90 seconds ahead of Steven McKenna (Australia) in second place, with Matt Trautman (SA) coming in third.

First out of the water after a strong swim, Dapena formed part of a 6-man bunch that dominated most of the 90km cycle from Big Bay into the Company’s Garden.  But it was on the run where he showed his strength, and he quickly set the pace in front, together with McKenna, with Trautman following close behind.

Dapena was ecstatic about his victory. “The conditions were amazing. I had a great swim and enjoyed the flat and fast bike. The run was a little windy at times and that hill was a challenge, but I loved racing in Cape Town, and I hope to be back next year!”

The women’s race belonged to Emma Pallant (UK), who took a convincing win in 4:14:51 – seven minutes faster than Annah Watkinson (SA), and almost 10 minutes ahead of British pro Laura Siddall.

“I loved the swim and the run was tough,” noted Pallant. “The flat and fast bike made for an awesome day, and I had great fun on the course.”

This was an historic day for the race organisers, who successfully staged the first middle distance triathlon in the City of Cape Town.

The 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run showcased the Mother City in a way that no mass participation event athlete has seen it before.

The day dawned to a misty but wind-free Big Bay, and the race opened with ideal swim conditions and water temperatures reaching 15.5 degree Celsius. The cycle followed, which comprised three spectacularly scenic loops along Otto du Plessis Drive with its uninterrupted ocean views, followed by a ride into the City, and a final sprint along Adderley Street and Government Avenue in the Company’s Garden. This was the first time that a cycle race went through the historic Garden.

The 21km run through the Zonnebloem and District Six precinct showcased many of the City’s most historically significant landmarks, including Parliament, City Hall, and the Castle of Good Hope. Three 7km laps completed the run, which included a brutal climb from the Castle all the way up to the M3.

“We couldn’t have asked for better conditions to stage this inaugural event,” said race director Gary Marescia. “The nature of the course made it possible for pros and age groupers to put themselves to the test.”

“A middle distance triathlon in the City of Cape Town has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled that we could show local and international triathletes that the Mother City is ready for an event of this calibre.”

CHALLENGE CAPE TOWN attracted participants from 20 countries across the globe, with women making up 27% of the field. Top age grouper finishers each earned a slot to participate in THE CHAMPIONSHIP in Samorin, Slovakia, on May 31st 2020.

Pro Men
1. Pablo Dapena (ESP): 3:46:48
2. Steven McKenna (AUS): 3:48:14
3. Matt Trautman (SA): 3:49:44
4. Kyle Buckingham (SA): 3:52:12
5. Tim Don (UK): 3:55:49
6. Bradley Weiss (SA): 3:56:31

Pro Women
1. Emma Pallant (UK): 4:14:51
2. Annah Watkinson (SA): 4:21:20
3. Laura Siddall (UK): 4:24:23
4. Gillian Sanders (SA): 4:38:20
5. Lauren Cannon (SA): 4:39:59
6. Vicky van der Merwe (SA): 4:43:20

CHALLENGE Family (Photo: Chris Hitchcock)


Coming Triathlon Events View all

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Greatman Kornik

Kornik, Poland

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 WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

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

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

The Gauntlet Belvoir Castle Triathlon

Belvoir Castle, United Kingdom

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

70.3 Krakow

Kraków, Poland

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

On Sunday, 13 July, nearly 60 professional triathletes will head to the south coast of Wales for the first time to compete in the IRONMAN®?70.3® Swansea triathlon, the 12th event in the 2025 IRONMAN® Pro Series. The event will offer a maximum of 2,500 points towards IRONMAN® Pro Series standings, a $50,000 USD?event total pro prize purse, and two slots per gender for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Nice, France. more

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz invites you to the spectacular cultural capital of northern Spain's Basque Country! With over a decade of triathlon heritage, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a well-known triathlon playground offering astonishing natural landscapes, rich culture, unforgettable Basque gastronomy, and the most passionate and vibrant fans that will encourage you until the finish line. more

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sunday 06 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

Reigning world champion Laura Philipp and world champion Sam Laidlow have won DATEV Challenge Roth and, in front of several hundred thousand spectators, entered the list of winners of the world's largest long-distance triathlon for the first time. Jonas Schomburg, who had to drop out in Frankfurt a week ago and so entered Roth last minute, came second and for a long time even had his sights set on the top step of the podium. more

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

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.