Try the Newest Challenge
TheChallenge family has added a third North American race to its series. It takes place in the maritime town of St. Andrews by-theSea, New Brunswick. The inaugural half distance, Kingsbrae Garden Challenge St. Andrews will run on July 6, 2014. The Challenge series focuses on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities.
Race organizers Scott and Tressa Bevington describe their aim for the event in three words: “Fun. Energetic. Family.” But don’t let these three words mislead you, as the name implies, participants can expect nothing less than a challenging course. Four-time world champion Chris “Macca” McCormack has been following the Challenge family’s growth. “It’s great to see another Challenge race added to the Canadian triathlon calendar … and I look forward to checking the course out as I’ve heard it’s stunning, with a tough bike and a really varied run.”
The race starts and finishes at the historic Algonquin Resort. A picturesque swim in the sheltered waters of Katy’s Cove, gives participants the unique opportunity of a salt water swim with a lake-like feel as temperatures average 22 degrees in July. The bike is an out-and-back single loop on closed roads, combining rolling hills and scenic views of the Bay of Fundy, the Passamaquoddy Bay and St. Croix Island. The two-loop run course is one of the most spectacular in the sport. Athletes run beside the Algonquin Golf Course (renowned for its much photographed 12th tee with coastal views), then along the seashore towards St. Andrews’s waterfront with its quaint shops and its period architecture, heading towards the finish through the award-winning Kingsbrae Garden (voted one of the top five gardens in North America).
Race weekend offers plenty of activities for athletes, families and volunteers, while showcasing many Maritimes highlights including live music. Beginning with the Challenge Expo and Friday Night Pasta Party, the weekend will feature the Kids Junior Challenge triathlon (taking participants through the Garden’s maze), the tri St. Andrews Sprint Distance Triathlon, the Beat the Tide 5 mile run on nearby Ministers Island, and the recently announced relay and aquabike options. The weekend will conclude with the Maritime Kitchen Party and awards ceremony on Sunday night.
The event has already attracted participants from Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada, Europe and New England. A professional prize purse of 25,000€ has been announced, drawing a number of superstars the the race weekend including Simon Whitfield and Chris McCormack.
For Tressa Bevington, being part of the Challenge family means being attentive to every last detail ensuring athletes, volunteers, supporters and sponsors are perfectly catered to. There are currently 21 long distance races in 13 countries, but Challenge St. Andrews is the only one in North America that offers the half distance triathlon. This makes it a perfect build-up race for athletes training for the full distance Challenge Penticton in late August.
“The course is memorable for so many reasons,” says Scott Bevington. “The amazing New Brunswick scenery and history, its intensity, the opportunity for spectators to be involved with the athletes, plus a finish in the heart of the town are sure to make this race a resounding success. We have no doubt that this will become an essential race for the region, and the hospitality and beauty of St. Andrews will bring athletes back year after year.”
Perhaps there should be one more word to summarize the race: unforgettable.