Roma: Challenge Family's European season to start in Italy

Challenge Roma – Sunday 15th April 2018

While February’s fantastic races at Challenge Wanaka kicked off their 2018 schedule, the European leg of Challenge Family’s year starts next weekend in Rome, Italy.

Challenge Roma (www.challenge-roma.com) takes place on an all new course based at Porto Touristico Di Roma (HERE), this year over the half distance 1.9km / 90km / 21.1km format. Last year – at a different venue – the debut chucked out convention and used a ‘753’ format, distances all linked to the year 753 BC, the foundation year of Rome. For most – and based on the number of Pro athletes set to race – the change will prove to be a good one. I think we’ll see a good Age-Group turnout too, many athletes looking to the qualify for ‘The Championship‘ in Samorin, Slovakia.

The Brits

Among the many British Pro athletes racing – and we suspect there may be a few we’ve missed to, based on the number of others that we know have mentioned this event – are:

Lucy Gossage
Caroline Livesey
Alice Hector
Sarah Lewis

https://twitter.com/AliceH82/status/978185944045105152

Will Clarke
George Goodwin
Henry Irvine

It's felt like a very long winter but it's gone as well as I could ever hope. It's time to start racing again soon and roll the dice for my 17th season as an Elite Triathlete!

I'll be at :
@challenge_roma @IRONMANtri Texas@OutlawTriathlon Half@IRONMANtri St Polten pic.twitter.com/YmT1vpXbXN

— Will Clarke (@Theclarke) March 27, 2018

Their competition will be strong, with international athletes including Andreas Dreitz (GER), Thomas Steger (AUT), Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) and Camilla Pedersen (DEN) just a few of the names that will be heading to the Eternal City. You can’t blame them – racing aside, if you ever get the chance to go to Rome (or indeed, go back), that is an option well worth taking.

The Course (Click HERE for more)

A single lap, 1.9km harbour swim Rome Marina will kick off the day.

The bike should prove to be a fast one, wind permitting – featuring a three-lap, out-and-back along the coastline.

The run should again be a quick one, a compact course of five laps all based in and around the Marina. Spectators especially, will have plenty of opportunities to support their athletes, families and friends.

As an added twist – great news for those that don’t like getting up early – the race features and afternoon start time of 1:15pm.