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

Knysna Extreme

Knysna, South Africa

OlympusMan Xtreme

Paphos, Cyprus

Oxman

North Canterbury, New Zealand

Patagonman

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

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

ANVIL Florida

Clermont, FL, United States

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Ironman San Juan Argentina

San Juan, Argentina

Ironman Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

Ironman Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia

Ironman Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico

Ironman Valdivia

Valdivia, Chile

Ironman Oman

Muscat, Oman

Ironman Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman Penghu

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman South African

Mossel Bay, South Africa

Pottsville Beach Tri

Pottsville NSW, Australia

Edisto Island Tri

Edisto Island, SC, United States

Challenge Forte Village

Sardinia, Italy

Challenge Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

CHALLENGE Shanghai

Shanghai, China

Challenge Xiamen

Xiamen, China

Oil Man Texas Triathlon

Montgomery, TX, United States

Rotorua Suffer

Rotorua, New Zealand

Tauranga Half

Tauranga, New Zealand

Hell of the West

Goondiwindi, QLD, Australia

70.3 Dhofar

Salalah, Oman

70.3 Agadir Morocco

Agadir, Morocco

70.3 Greece

Costa Navarino, Peloponnese, Greece

70.3 Kenting Taiwan

Kenting, Taiwan, Province of China

70.3 Goa

Goa, India

70.3 Turkey

Belek, Turkey

70.3 Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

70.3 Campeche

Campeche, Mexico

70.3 Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, Viet Nam

70.3 Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Inaugural Full Distance IRONMAN Montana, Great Falls Set to Debut in 2027

Inaugural Full Distance IRONMAN Montana, Great Falls Set to Debut in 2027

Wednesday 21 Oct 2026 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in long-distance triathlon, announced today the addition of the new full-distance IRONMAN® Montana triathlon to the global IRONMAN circuit debuting on August 15, 2027. Bringing one of the world’s premier endurance brands to the heart of Big Sky Country, the inaugural event will offer athletes a one-of-a-kind racing experience surrounded by the sweeping landscapes, legendary waterways, and rugged outdoor beauty that define Montana. more

Orem, Utah to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon in 2027

Orem, Utah to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon in 2027

Tuesday 20 Oct 2026 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN®, the global leader in long-distance triathlon, announced today that the new IRONMAN® 70.3® Utah triathlon will join the global calendar of racing in 2027. The inaugural event is scheduled to make its debut on Saturday, August 21, 2027, beginning with a scenic swim in Deer Creek Reservoir and traversing through Provo Canyon and Utah Valley before finishing at Orem City Center Park beneath the stunning Wasatch Mountains. more

Lake George, New York Set to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon in 2027

Lake George, New York Set to Host New IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon in 2027

Monday 19 Oct 2026 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN announced today that the Village of Lake George, N.Y. and the Southern Adirondack region will host the newest IRONMAN® 70.3® race in the coming year. The new Cuisine Solutions IRONMAN 70.3 Lake George triathlon is scheduled to make its debut on Sunday, June 13, 2027, beginning in the Village of Lake George and traversing the surrounding Adirondacks region. General registration for the new event will open on October 29, 2026, at www.ironman.com/races/im703-lake-george. more

Jelle Geens & Natalie Van Coevorden Claim 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie Titles

Jelle Geens & Natalie Van Coevorden Claim 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie Titles

Sunday 18 Oct 2026 [Triathlon News]

Belgium’s Jelle Geens and Australia’s Natalie Van Coevorden have claimed the men’s and women’s professional titles at IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie. For Geens it was a win on his IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie debut, while Van Coevorden made it back-to-back victories on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast. Geens, the 2024 and 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, was first across the line in 3:44:34, two and a half minutes ahead of Kieran Storch, with Mitch Kibby third. more

IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie AUS Pro Start List

IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie AUS Pro Start List

Friday 16 Oct 2026 [Triathlon News]

Two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Jelle Geens and five-time IRONMAN 70.3 race winner Natalie Van Coevorden highlight the professional men’s and women’s fields set to compete for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie titles this Sunday, 18 October. Athletes are also racing for a share of the $30,000 USD prize pool and two slots per gender to the 2027 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.