Search
shop

Challenge Miami preview 2021

Pro racing action is back, and Friday's Challenge Miami features two exceptional start lists which should provide some fast and exciting action
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

IRONMAN World Champions headline Miami debut

You wait months for a Pro triathlon race… and then, like buses, two come along at once. And both on a FRIDAY. Tomorrow!

First up, and very early UK time will be IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai in the UAE, but in this feature, we are going to have a look at the first edition of Challenge Miami.

What is it?

If you watched the PTO 2020 Championship at Challenge Daytona in December, well, it’ll be similar to that.

This is another, self-enclosed, motor racing circuit event, based at the Homestead Miami Speedway. As with the Daytona International Speedway, a very convenient lake sits nicely within the centre of the circuit, primed and ready for swimmers.

Homestead Miami / Challenge Miami

The distances will be slightly shorter than in Daytona, comprising of:

  • Swim: 1.6km / 1-mile (2 laps)
  • Bike: 62km / 39-miles (17 laps of 2.2 miles + one part lap to start)
  • Run: 16.9km / 10.5 miles (7 laps of 1.5 miles)

Unlike the Daytona race (where the distances were 2km / 80km / 18km), the bike course in Miami will use part of the in-field road circuit, and thus the challenge will be slightly different and not simply 80km head down, as aero as possible, in a straight line with zero turns until T2. That might be welcomed by a few hamstrings and lower backs that found that lack of variation so tough in Daytona.

Who’s racing?

Providing the majority of athletes travelling can overcome any travel restrictions and COVID tests (alas, Great Britain’s Tom Davis was one who hasn’t been able to make it), then there can be few complaints about the quality of field set to compete. With so few races over the past year, it’s really no surprise to see such quality eager to get back to what they do best.

Pro Men

It doesn’t get much bigger in long distance triathlon than Jan Frodeno. We haven’t seen Jan on a race course since his Kona course record breaking, third IRONMAN World Championship victory in 2019, but after some injuries and bike crashes, Jan is unlikely to have made the journey from his Girona base if he didn’t feel ready. For a while it looked as though travel issues would prevent his arrival, but, he’s definitely on site and ready to race.

Challenge Miami

There’s some great (as always), YouTube content from Lionel Sanders online, the closing titles of which (above) perhaps suggest how he views Friday’s action. Game on! Outside of Jan’s 2017 Kona injury/walk home, Sanders has yet to beat Frodeno. Could Friday be that day?

Anyone thinking the men’s race is simply two athletes would be a fool though – Rudy Von Berg (third at the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World’s), Matt Hanson (second in Daytona), Ben Hoffman and Bart Aernouts (both second at Kona), plus Andreas Dreitz, Magnus Ditlev, Pablo Dapena and others that could and should be name-checked from the start list below too.

Challenge Miami 2021 - Pro Men

Pro Women

There’s no shortage of talent in the women’s race either.

In Anne Haug, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Sarah Crowley, that’s the full Kona podium from the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship.

KAILUA KONA, HAWAII - OCTOBER 12: Lucy Charles-Barkley (2nd), Anne Haug (1st) and Sarah Crawley (3rd) celebrate after the Ironman World Championships on October 12, 2019 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Charles-Barclay and Haug have had some great battles over recent years, long distance triathlon’s best swimmer versus it’s best runner – will we see a similar pattern again?

Lucy Charles / Challenge Miami

Proven ability to race in this style of racing? Well, Canada’a Paula Findlay won at Challenge Daytona in both 2019 and 2020.

There’s further British interest from Fenella Langridge (who’s smile was one of the memories of the Daytona finish straight, where she finished seventh), plus 2014 Commonwealth Games champion, Jodie Stimpson.

Challenge Miami 2021 - Pro Women

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Triathlon great Vincent Luis plotting T100 comeback after injury setback
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
It’s exam results time – and Olympic legend Alistair Brownlee nails the careers advice
Jess Learmonth T100 Vancouver joy 2025
Jess Learmonth is still daring to dream after childbirth and injury comebacks
Marten Van Riel finish line T100 Dubai 2024 photo credit PTO / T100
Van Riel faces World Championship fitness battle after revealing injury and mental health concerns
Chelsea Sodaro IRONMAN World Championship 2024 post race
Last chance saloon as final Kona and Nice spots up for grabs
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...