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ROTH, Germany (April 18, 2008) - The global race organisation behind the popular Quelle Challenge Roth (Germany), Challenge Neiderbronn-les-Bains (France) and Challenge Wanaka has announced its expansion into Spain where two new events in the spectacular Costa del Maresme region will join the Challenge family.
Both Spanish races will be centred around Barcelona, starting with the Evolution Challenge Costa Barcelona Maresme over the half ironman distance on May 10, 2009. Athletes who want to tackle a full long-course race can sign onto the Challenge Costa Barcelona Maresme which takes place on October 4, 2009. Lined with white-sand beaches, this section of the Catalonian coast lies about 50km from Barcelona and south of the Costa Brava. The race start and finish will be at the resort area of Calella del Mar.

The courses for both events will be identical, with competitors in the half distance race completing single loops of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run course. Competitors in the long distance race in October will complete two laps of each. The bike course is expected to be fast, covering smooth coastal roads with small rises but no major climbs – and it will be completely closed to traffic in both races. The run course heads from Calella del Mar to Malgrat de Mar and back along the any beach promenades with a mix of soft trails and asphalt underfoot.

The race will offer the large Spanish triathlon market a long-desired long course race on the Spanish mainland. It is also expected to draw on the triathlon-mad French market, especially in southwest France.

"The half distance date on May 10 is absolutely perfect as preparation for Quelle Challenge Roth, with beautiful settled weather on the Mediterranean," said TEAMChallenge director, Felix Walchshofer. "With the long-distance race in October we'll be offering the latest long course race date on the European calendar. With temperatures of about 22C in the water and 28C on land, conditions for the race will be ideal. We believe the race will appeal to athletes who'd like to do two long distance races in a year and to those who've perhaps failed to qualify for Hawaii but would like to do one more long race before winter.'