Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum 2026 results: Aussie rule for Storch and Birch

Australians Kieran Storch and Demi Birch claimed victory at Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum along South Korea’s west coast, crossing the finish line in 3:51:04 and 4:37:16, respectively.

The race took place in warm conditions, with air temperatures around 30°C and the professional race featured a non-wetsuit swim after the water temperature reached 24°C.

Men’s race

In the men’s race, Caleb Noble (AUS) exited the water first in 23:43, with the three chasers, Nicholas Free (AUS), Kenshin Mizushima (JPN), and Bogdan Kovalenko (KAZ), all within 10 seconds. Storch started the bike 2:10 behind the lead group.

Mizushima briefly led early on the bike before Kovalenko moved to the front at kilometre 12, opening a 30-second gap to Mizushima and Noble. By kilometre 34, Storch had steadily moved through the field to second place, reducing the gap to under two minutes.

At the halfway point of the 90km bike, Kovalenko led Storch by 1:45, while Mizushima and Noble were a further two minutes back. Heading into the final lap, Kovalenko’s advantage had been reduced to 1:20. He entered T2 first in 1:56:51, with Storch only seconds behind after closing the gap over the final kilometres.

Storch took the lead early on the run and maintained it to the finish, winning in 3:51:04. Kovalenko finished second in 3:54:34, while Nathan Dortmann (AUS) secured third place in 4:02:51 after moving through the field during the closing stages of the run.

kieran storch challenge gunsan — Kieran Storch [Photo credit: Challenge Family]

“I am super stoked to win, “ said Storch. “I really like all races in Asia; they suit me well. I have been in Taiwan for the last six weeks to get ready for the heat here.”

Women’s race

Birch established an early lead during the swim, completing the first lap with a 1:47 advantage over Rachel Faulds (CAN) and exited the water first in 26:27, 4:10 ahead of Faulds. Nicole Valentine (AUS) and Amy Vantassel (AUS) started the bike in third and fourth, just over six minutes behind.

Birch continued to extend her advantage throughout the bike. By kilometre 12, she led by seven minutes, while Valentine closed the gap to Faulds before moving into second at the end of the opening bike lap. At kilometre 56, Birch’s lead had grown to almost 10 minutes over Valentine, with Faulds and Vantassel another five minutes behind. Birch entered T2 in 2:22:04, holding a 14-minute lead over Valentine, while Vantassel started the run four minutes further back.

Vantassel moved into second place during the run, but Birch remained in control throughout, claiming her first middle-distance victory in 4:37:16. Vantassel finished second in 4:40:33, with Valentine completing the podium in 4:42:21.