I have been sticking my nose in the business of race production companies and race directors around the world for over 30 years and I am here to tell you that Felix is one of the truly nice guys of the sport worldwide. His unbridled enthusiasm for the Pro's, the Age Groupers and the sport in general is palpable and genuine. Good on ya Felix!
James, you forgot to mention that you won Roth once without a watch on. So you talking ftom experience. And I did it. Much slower, but what a race. Supporters banging beers on tables when you ride through the towns. You cant take a break anywhere because there are so many sipporters cheering you on. Great race special race. ❤
Did Roth this year followed by the new Challenge CAP Québec two weeks later!! Amazing events in beautiful environments in both cases!! Such a great feeling to race in events that truly have the client experience at heart! Roth is truly the best experience in triathlon I've ever had. If I lived in Europe I'd do it every year!!
I have already done both the Challenge Florianópolis and Ironman 70.3 Florianópolis in Brazil. The Challenge races are by far the best value for money. The organization delivers an excellent, well-organized race at a very fair price. Without a doubt, the Challenge is very well-regarded in Brazil. It is clear that Ironman is too, but this competition is healthy for triathlon here.
I did Challenge Cairns, now Ironman Cairns, in 2011. It was a great event. My next Challenge race is an Olympic distance race in Canberra - November. I like the Challenge races. I have enjoyed all of the ones I have done in Australia. My favourite aspect was how I was able to cross the finish line in Cairns with my 8yo son which was not permitted in the Ironman races I did. It was a great moment for us both.
I’ve made the trek across the pond for The Championship & Challenge Roth, have done several IM events in North America, comparing them is apples and oranges. Challenge events are simply better support by the communities that host them in my opinion.
i raced challenge almere, which was just awesome, and challenge walchsee, which was great. Racing a few ironman races didnt feel the same and was much more expensive
Just race challenge Quebec City and i though it was well organized and probably the most scenic place I’ve ever raced in. They put on a great race for sure
I did Challenge Roth (2x) and Ironman Austria (Klagenfurt) and to be fair they were both excellent, Roth is obviously more iconic (and much harder to get a spot) but both were great events. I have no specific preference, I think it's the location that is most important for an athlete, not necessarily the organising company. I've done Alpe d'Huez triathlon a few times - which is still independent (I believe) and they can compete with both IM and Challenge (and are a lot more budget friendly!)
I did Challenge NJ a couple of weeks ago. Ive did the race before they took it over, I didnt see a big difference in how it was run in previous years but might have been due to them still transitioning over to challenge, but overall it was great event still.
Almere 2016, Roth 2019 & 2024 and did Ironman Klagenfurt in 2022. That was the lesser in the four full distances i did. Athlete experience was far better at Challenge races. Only downside is that they don't have that much full distances com[ared to Ironman.
Challenge has taken on a race I have been doing for 26 years. The Esprit in Montreal. It will be interesting to compare this version to what was always the friendliest race on my calendar.
Challenge Walchsee Kaiserwinkl is the best race I’ve ever done, I’ve been back twice more. Paguera is also a fantastic race. I far prefer Challenge to Ironman, they actually care about the athletes and offering value.
I've participated in Challenge Almere in the Netherlands which was great. But recently I've listened Jack Kelly's episode on Challenge Salinas and how it didn't pay its athletes even months later. I wish you have also mentioned that scandal.
I did olympic 2023 and half distance 2024 in Sphere Bionic Samorin (SK)...the venue is great on its own and Challenge just matched it with great organization of the event...I booked 2025 already to hit some PR 😉
I always wondered, was it called Challenge Family because a group of biologically-related people with the last name “Challenge” (aka a Family) got together and decided to start a company hosting challenging triathlons? That would be the last name / career jackpot. Stranger coincidences have happened!! This clears things up, thank you!!
I recently learned there's a challenge tri in August near my family's summer cottage. I almost signed up for it, but considering I've got my first triathlon (sprint) coming up next week and never ran anything close to a half marathon, it's most likely a terrible idea. I will seriously consider it next season.
Roth was fabulous. I've had great experiences at both Challenge and IM events. I think it's important to have competition in the Tri market. My problem with Challenge was Salou 2022. They applied a shorter cut-off time for women than men (it was based on gun time, not individual chip time). Unacceptable. They 'lost' my finish time and tried to fob me off when I should have been on the podium. Chaos. I complained to Challenge, but they refused to respond .
They felt exactly the same. My wallet felt better though. From ironman employees and ex employees, ironman is pretty shty to them. They're are just a cash grab now.
For ME Challenge Races are hit or miss. Challange Istanbul 2023 was great, however CHALLENGE GALLIPOLI 2024 was pretty terrible. Empty aid stations (no water even) un organized, very hard to even find an English speaker at registration It seems as Challange gets involved with existing races they may not send enough (or any?) organizers to the event. What you then have is whatever the local organizers do. Hince the hit or miss. From my experience Ironman is not this way. From Thailand to Italy to Texas Ironman races feel like Ironman.
How about investigating the claims that 11% of age groupers where doped in Roth? That can not be true. Just awfull. But aperantly older men AG's are doping to get better results. That number can not be that high. That explains that faster times in AG's - but the number can not be that high! #GTN #Investiage #Please
What's the point of this video when it's sponsored by Challenge? This way it is just a marketing video and the message is very misleading...maybe focus more on actuall comparison and not blatant sponsoring
Hey. I totally hear you. For transparency we actually created a number of videos with Challenge this year. We added this one into the mix as a bonus, as we are genuinely passionate about their events, and thought the history may be interesting to others
For sure it must be marketing of sponsors , but that doesn’t mean that it have to be bad products. I think it’s good GTN try many products in a more real situation. I get actually more tired of comments who criticize it. Challenge Family is a company as Ironman. So what? I think most of them who follow GTN they can understand that it’s some give and take theirs sponsors.
GTN - I totally get that you need to pay the bills. But I sincerely hope that you can use whatever was paid for this to make some more interesting non-sponsored content.
GTN - Keep doing what you do. As someone who is still relatively new to triathalons, Ironman is all I hear about, this got me to research Challenge and learn that there is one near me next year that I may enter.
Hey. I totally hear you. For transparency we actually created a number of videos with Challenge this year, which have been greatly received. We added this one into the mix as a bonus, as we are genuinely passionate about their events, and thought the history may be interesting to others
@markthrelfall3577 Mark, thanks for responding. It is good to know there is something else out there other than Ironman. But static interviews with company owners and managers doesn't make for great content.
Have you ever done a Challenge event? 🏃🏻💨 What was your experience like? 💬
I did Vansbro in Sweden when it was Challenge and qualified for Samorin. I did Samorin last year also. Very nice competitions.
I haven't, great video
I have been sticking my nose in the business of race production companies and race directors around the world for over 30 years and I am here to tell you that Felix is one of the truly nice guys of the sport worldwide. His unbridled enthusiasm for the Pro's, the Age Groupers and the sport in general is palpable and genuine. Good on ya Felix!
James, you forgot to mention that you won Roth once without a watch on. So you talking ftom experience. And I did it. Much slower, but what a race. Supporters banging beers on tables when you ride through the towns. You cant take a break anywhere because there are so many sipporters cheering you on. Great race special race. ❤
Did Roth this year followed by the new Challenge CAP Québec two weeks later!! Amazing events in beautiful environments in both cases!! Such a great feeling to race in events that truly have the client experience at heart! Roth is truly the best experience in triathlon I've ever had. If I lived in Europe I'd do it every year!!
@GTN maybe James could do help persuade the Challenge Family to bring an event to South Africa 😉 🇿🇦
I have already done both the Challenge Florianópolis and Ironman 70.3 Florianópolis in Brazil. The Challenge races are by far the best value for money. The organization delivers an excellent, well-organized race at a very fair price. Without a doubt, the Challenge is very well-regarded in Brazil. It is clear that Ironman is too, but this competition is healthy for triathlon here.
I did Challenge Cairns, now Ironman Cairns, in 2011. It was a great event. My next Challenge race is an Olympic distance race in Canberra - November. I like the Challenge races. I have enjoyed all of the ones I have done in Australia. My favourite aspect was how I was able to cross the finish line in Cairns with my 8yo son which was not permitted in the Ironman races I did. It was a great moment for us both.
Challenge Roth was an incredible experience. My 7th full distance race and the best experience by a long way
My first tri was Challenge Daytona in 2019 at Daytona International Speedway. It has since become CLASH Daytona.
I’ve made the trek across the pond for The Championship & Challenge Roth, have done several IM events in North America, comparing them is apples and oranges.
Challenge events are simply better support by the communities that host them in my opinion.
i raced challenge almere, which was just awesome, and challenge walchsee, which was great. Racing a few ironman races didnt feel the same and was much more expensive
Just race challenge Quebec City and i though it was well organized and probably the most scenic place I’ve ever raced in. They put on a great race for sure
I did Challenge Roth (2x) and Ironman Austria (Klagenfurt) and to be fair they were both excellent, Roth is obviously more iconic (and much harder to get a spot) but both were great events. I have no specific preference, I think it's the location that is most important for an athlete, not necessarily the organising company. I've done Alpe d'Huez triathlon a few times - which is still independent (I believe) and they can compete with both IM and Challenge (and are a lot more budget friendly!)
I did Challenge NJ a couple of weeks ago. Ive did the race before they took it over, I didnt see a big difference in how it was run in previous years but might have been due to them still transitioning over to challenge, but overall it was great event still.
I personally love the friendlier vibe combined with performance orientation of the Challenge races :)
Almere 2016, Roth 2019 & 2024 and did Ironman Klagenfurt in 2022. That was the lesser in the four full distances i did. Athlete experience was far better at Challenge races. Only downside is that they don't have that much full distances com[ared to Ironman.
Challenge has taken on a race I have been doing for 26 years. The Esprit in Montreal. It will be interesting to compare this version to what was always the friendliest race on my calendar.
Challenge Walchsee Kaiserwinkl is the best race I’ve ever done, I’ve been back twice more. Paguera is also a fantastic race.
I far prefer Challenge to Ironman, they actually care about the athletes and offering value.
I've participated in Challenge Almere in the Netherlands which was great. But recently I've listened Jack Kelly's episode on Challenge Salinas and how it didn't pay its athletes even months later. I wish you have also mentioned that scandal.
you forgot about the event in new jersey :(
I did olympic 2023 and half distance 2024 in Sphere Bionic Samorin (SK)...the venue is great on its own and Challenge just matched it with great organization of the event...I booked 2025 already to hit some PR 😉
I love Challenge races.....given the choice, I'd take Roth over Kona every time 👍
I always wondered, was it called Challenge Family because a group of biologically-related people with the last name “Challenge” (aka a Family) got together and decided to start a company hosting challenging triathlons? That would be the last name / career jackpot. Stranger coincidences have happened!! This clears things up, thank you!!
I recently learned there's a challenge tri in August near my family's summer cottage. I almost signed up for it, but considering I've got my first triathlon (sprint) coming up next week and never ran anything close to a half marathon, it's most likely a terrible idea.
I will seriously consider it next season.
Roth was fabulous.
I've had great experiences at both Challenge and IM events.
I think it's important to have competition in the Tri market.
My problem with Challenge was Salou 2022. They applied a shorter cut-off time for women than men (it was based on gun time, not individual chip time). Unacceptable.
They 'lost' my finish time and tried to fob me off when I should have been on the podium.
Chaos.
I complained to Challenge, but they refused to respond .
They felt exactly the same. My wallet felt better though. From ironman employees and ex employees, ironman is pretty shty to them. They're are just a cash grab now.
For ME Challenge Races are hit or miss. Challange Istanbul 2023 was great, however CHALLENGE GALLIPOLI 2024 was pretty terrible. Empty aid stations (no water even) un organized, very hard to even find an English speaker at registration
It seems as Challange gets involved with existing races they may not send enough (or any?) organizers to the event. What you then have is whatever the local organizers do. Hince the hit or miss. From my experience Ironman is not this way. From Thailand to Italy to Texas Ironman races feel like Ironman.
How about investigating the claims that 11% of age groupers where doped in Roth? That can not be true. Just awfull. But aperantly older men AG's are doping to get better results. That number can not be that high. That explains that faster times in AG's - but the number can not be that high! #GTN #Investiage #Please
What's the point of this video when it's sponsored by Challenge? This way it is just a marketing video and the message is very misleading...maybe focus more on actuall comparison and not blatant sponsoring
Agreed
gotta pay the bills I guess
@@rundown132 100% but just make it clear it’s sponsored
Hey. I totally hear you. For transparency we actually created a number of videos with Challenge this year. We added this one into the mix as a bonus, as we are genuinely passionate about their events, and thought the history may be interesting to others
For sure it must be marketing of sponsors , but that doesn’t mean that it have to be bad products.
I think it’s good GTN try many products in a more real situation. I get actually more tired of comments who criticize it.
Challenge Family is a company as Ironman. So what? I think most of them who follow GTN they can understand that it’s some give and take theirs sponsors.
GTN - I totally get that you need to pay the bills. But I sincerely hope that you can use whatever was paid for this to make some more interesting non-sponsored content.
GTN - Keep doing what you do. As someone who is still relatively new to triathalons, Ironman is all I hear about, this got me to research Challenge and learn that there is one near me next year that I may enter.
Hey. I totally hear you. For transparency we actually created a number of videos with Challenge this year, which have been greatly received. We added this one into the mix as a bonus, as we are genuinely passionate about their events, and thought the history may be interesting to others
@markthrelfall3577 Mark, thanks for responding. It is good to know there is something else out there other than Ironman. But static interviews with company owners and managers doesn't make for great content.
Hello Challenge, what's about Championship 2024 backpacks?🫤