CHALLENGE Cancun offers a race in paradise & a strong pro field

Wednesday 28 April 2021

After wonderful races in Taiwan and Gran Canaria, CHALLENGE FAMILY is now gearing up for CHALLENGE CANCUN. Racing under the Mexican sun, in crystal clear water and among a particularly strong field of participants: this Sunday, May 2, the action bursts loose.

In the men's field, the biggest favourite is undoubtedly the Spanish Javier Gómez, who also competed at the end of last year's CHALLENGE DAYTONA but was unable to get involved in the battle for a place on the podium there. Nevertheless, Gómez is considered one of the best athletes in the world - which is not surprising when you look at his record - and so he seems to be the high favourite for victory. There is no doubt that he will race for what he is worth and search for limits in his search to take the win.  

Gómez still has to live up to that role of favourite, something that is not easy among the men he will be up against. For example, the Danish Patrick Nilsson will be at the start, who is known as an athlete that can surprise and who always competes for the win and nothing less. Also at the start are routines Andy Potts (USA), who also counts as title defender after his win in 2019, and Michael Weiss (AUS). The Swiss Ruedi Wild seems to be someone to take into account as an outsider.

Among the women, New Zealand's Anneke Jenkins is considered the big favourite to take the win at CHALLENGE CANCUN. Due to travel restrictions, the women's field in Cancun is a little less thickly packed than in the men's, but that doesn't mean Jenkins can get ready for an easy day at the office. Local favourites Palmira Alvarez and Adriana Carreno will be at the start for example, but the French Anne Basso could also provide a surprise. There are also a number of American women at the start, including Annie Kelly, Kimberly Goodell, Sierra Snyder, Katherin Vermann, Nicole Valentine and Natasha van der Merve.

CHALLENGE CANCUN starts next Sunday - May 2 - at 6:30am local time (1:30pm CET)

Follow live updates of the race at www.challenge-family.live

About CHALLENGE FAMILY
CHALLENGE FAMILY is one of the fastest-growing global triathlon series. With 35 full and middle distances in 28 different countries, CHALLENGE FAMILY is changing the face of triathlon around the world. Due to spectacular courses in iconic destinations, no CHALLENGE FAMILY race is like another. Focusing on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities, CHALLENGE FAMILY races provide memorable experiences that capture all the excitement and emotions of this inspirational sport.

CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Fodaxman

Nova Veneza State of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Saharaman

Taghit, Béchar, Algeria

Challenge Israman

Eilat, Israel

Challenge Sir Bani Yas

Sir Baniyas Island, United Arab Emirates

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Himalayan Xtreme

Pokhara, Nepal

FrenchMan

Carcans, France

Grizzlyman Xtri

Beskydy, Czech Republic

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman Taiwan

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman South African

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Vietnam

Da Nang, Viet Nam

Ironman Jacksonville

Jacksonville Florida, United States

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Ironman Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

Rotorua Suffer

Rotorua, New Zealand

Tauranga Half

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tweed Coast Enduro

Pottsville NSW, Australia

Challenge Wanaka

Wanaka, New Zealand

Hell of the West

Goondiwindi, QLD, Australia

Bayshore 70.4

Long Beach, California, United States

Ayia Napa Triathlon

Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Husky Ultimate

Huskisson, NSW, Australia

Alpha Win Napa Valley

Napa Valley, CA, United States

Portocolom International

Mallorca, Spain

70.3 Florida

Haines City, Florida, United States

70.3 Pucon

Pucon, Chile

70.3 Oman

Muscat, Oman

70.3 San Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador

70.3 Colombo

Colombo, Sri Lanka

70.3 Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico

70.3 New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

70.3 Punta del Este

Maldonado, Uruguay

70.3 Curitiba Parana

Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil

70.3 Dallas Little Elm

Dallas TX, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Barranquilla, Colombia to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon

Barranquilla, Colombia to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon

Tuesday 09 Dec 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN and SBR Sports have announced that the city of Barranquilla, Colombia will be the newest host location of an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon. The inaugural edition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Barranquilla triathlon will take place on June 7, 2026. Known as Colombia’s Golden Gate, Barranquilla is a vibrant port city that pulses with music, dance, and sunshine year-round. The IRONMAN 70.3 Barranquilla event will blend the strength and energy of IRONMAN 70.3 athletes with the warm, cultural, and festive more

Sam Long & Kirsten Kasper Win 70.3 La Quinta California

Sam Long & Kirsten Kasper Win 70.3 La Quinta California

Monday 08 Dec 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta 2025 race took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, and saw American triathletes Sam Long and Kirsten Kasper take the professional titles. Kasper impressively won in her middle-distance debut. more

Lotte Wilms & Cameron Main Win IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Champs

Lotte Wilms & Cameron Main Win IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Champs

Sunday 07 Dec 2025 [Triathlon News]

Australia-based Dutch athlete Lotte Wilms and Britain’s Cameron Main have claimed the 2025 IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship titles today in Busselton, with both athletes putting on a show to secure decisive victories. Wilms, who lives on the Sunshine Coast and has called Australia home for the past 12 years, delivered a commanding performance to lead the women’s race from start to finish, breaking the tape for her second IRONMAN triathlon victory in 8:30:50. more

Vincent Luis & Georgia Taylor Brown Win 70.3 Bahrain

Vincent Luis & Georgia Taylor Brown Win 70.3 Bahrain

Friday 05 Dec 2025 [Triathlon News]

Vincent Luis claimed another victory at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain 2025 with a strong performance, while Georgia Taylor-Brown defended her title in the women's race, setting a new course record with a blistering time of 3:51:19, showcasing the event's fast, flat course and fierce competition. Luis, a veteran French star, battled short-course specialists like Vasco Vilacaa and Chase McQueen out of the water, while Taylor-Brown dominated the women's field, pulling away on the run to secure her win. more

IRONMAN Western Australia Pro Start List

IRONMAN Western Australia Pro Start List

Friday 05 Dec 2025 [Triathlon News]

The athletes will race for the IRONMAN Western Australia and IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship titles, a piece of the $150,000 USD professional prize purse, and four slots per gender to the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawai`i. More than 30 of the world’s top professional male triathletes are set to line up in Busselton on Sunday 7 December to compete for the 2025 IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship title. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.