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

FrenchMan

Carcans, France

Grizzlyman Xtri

Beskydy, Czech Republic

Mediterranean Epic

Oropesa del Mar, Spain

AlpsMan

Annecy, France

Bastion Chateau de Chantilly

Chantilly Oise, France

Pirene Xtreme

Cellers, Lleida, Spain

Celtman

Torridon, Scotland, United Kingdom

Schloss Triathlon Moritzburg

Moritzburg, Germany

Goto Nagasaki Int.

Nagasaki, Japan

Slateman

Llanberis Wales, United Kingdom

Ironman Jacksonville

Jacksonville Florida, United States

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Ironman Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

Ironman Philippines

Subic Bay, Philippines

Ironman Tours Metropole

Tours Métropole – Loire Valley, France

Ironman Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria

Ironman Cairns

Cairns, Australia

Ironman Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany

Ironman France

Nice, France

Outlaw Half Nottingham

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Triple T

Lore City, OH, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Zyrardow

Zyrardow, Poland

Roadford Lake

Roadford Lake, United Kingdom

Apfelland Triathlon

Stubenberg Lake, Austria

100x100Half Empuriabrava

Empuriabrava, Spain

Half Triathlon Pamplona

Pamplona, Spain

Challenge Championship

x-bionic® sphere, Samorin, Slovakia

The Gauntlet Lough Cutra Triathlon

Lough Cutra Castle, Ireland

OnondagaMan

Jamesville NY, United States

70.3 Aix en Provence

Aix-en-Provence, France

70.3 Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN, United States

70.3 Cap Cana

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

70.3 Shanghai Chongming

Chongming Island, Shanghai, China

70.3 Victoria

Victoria, BC, Canada

70.3 Hawaii

Kohala Coast, Hawaii, United States

70.3 Kraichgau

Kraichgau, Germany

70.3 Subic Bay

Subic Bay, Philippines

70.3 Durban

Durban, South Africa

70.3 Switzerland

Lake of Zurich, Switzerland

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Sam Long USA Grace Alexander USA Win 70.3 Gulf Coast Florida

Sam Long USA Grace Alexander USA Win 70.3 Gulf Coast Florida

Sunday 10 May 2026 [Triathlon News]

At 70.3 Gulf Coast Florida Americans Sam Long and Grace Alexander won the shortened event due to dangerous "overnight swells" on race morning, the swim for professionals was shortened to approximately 1,000 meters. more

Draper GBR Curridori ITA Win CHALLENGE Salou ESP

Draper GBR Curridori ITA Win CHALLENGE Salou ESP

Sunday 10 May 2026 [Triathlon News]

Will Draper continued his Challenge Family success story, taking the win at Challenge Salou-Costa Daurada in supreme fashion. In the women’s race, it was defending champion Elisabetta Curridori who struck again and, after an impressive race, raised the finish tape above her head with a successful title defense. more

Solok DNK Theunissen RSA Win CHALLENGE Cesenatico ITA

Solok DNK Theunissen RSA Win CHALLENGE Cesenatico ITA

Sunday 10 May 2026 [Triathlon News]

The third edition of Challenge Cesenatico returned to Italy’s Adriatic Coast with a sold-out field of over 1400 athletes racing this weekend under cloudy skies and mild conditions. It was Valdemar Solok (DEN) and Bridget Theunissen (RSA) who claimed victory, finishing in 3:35:44 and 4:10:51, respectively. more

IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast Florida Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast Florida Pro Start List

Friday 08 May 2026 [Triathlon News]

Welcome to the 2026 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast! formally known as the Gulf Coast Triathlon, IRONMAN is excited to present this event for the 44th year. We are proud to continue the long and rich history here in Panama City Beach as one of the oldest 70.3 races in the continental United States. more

CHALLENGE Salou ESP Pro Start List

CHALLENGE Salou ESP Pro Start List

Friday 08 May 2026 [Triathlon News]

It promises to be a lightning-fast edition of Challenge Salou-Costa Daurada this coming Sunday, 10 May. While some of the best athletes in the world gather to claim victory at the ever-popular race in the equally popular Spanish seaside resort and holiday destination, title defenders Thomas Davis (GBR) and Elisabetta Curridori (ITA) will do everything they can to defend their titles. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.