“A recent addition to Challenge Family’s race calendar, Challenge Gallipoli offers up an incredible blend of history, rugged scenery and a tough – but fun – course to boot. Writer and endurance athlete Katherine Brook takes a look at why you should consider hitting ‘enter now’ on this exciting middle distance triathlon.”
TRI247 had a better look at Challenge Gallipoli and wrote a great article about this unique race in Turkey.
“There are few race locations that carry such rich history as Challenge Gallipoli, so it’s easy to see why this has become such a popular race for triathletes. Gallipoli actually derives its name from the Greek word ‘Kallipolis’, meaning ‘Beautiful City’, so you can expect to be distracted by beautiful views, pine forests, monuments and more, as you make your way around the unique course.”
Location – A journey through history
“Taking place in the heart of the Gallipoli Historical Area, in north western Turkey, this is possibly one of the most compelling races in the Challenge portfolio. Gallipoli was one of the defining battles of the first World War, and as such, the area is steeped in history. Weaving in and out of the battle-scarred landscape, past memorials, castles and ruins, the city shares its story with you as you pay your respects along the course.
“From the historical landmarks to the food and drink, experience Turkish culture at its best.”
Why race… Challenge Gallipoli
This unique triathlon offers an experience beyond the swim, cycle and run. It’s a chance to discover the events that shaped our future, not to mention the outstanding natural beauty and Turkish hospitality.
1:
The race is set Anzac the heart of the Gallipoli Historical Area
2:
Swim in the ANZAC Cove, famous as the landing spot of the Anzac
3:
Cycle and run through battlefields and memorials of World War I
Course – Sharp climbs and rugged scenery
“A challenging course but one of historical significance. From the 1.9k swim in Anzac Cove to the spicy, steep bike climbs and looped run around the Historical Area.”
Race training & prep
“As with any triathlon, this is a race that requires training and preparation. The swim is in open water, so we recommend doing a few open water swims prior to race day, especially if an indoor pool is your usual training ground.
“On the bike, you’ll be covering just under 900m of elevation, with three challenging hills, and a couple of short but spicy climbs, so we definitely recommend incorporating hill training into your bike rides to prepare you for the course. If you want to really get a feel for the course, you can ride the route using ROUVY – the virtual reality indoor cycling platform.
“If you arrive in Gallipoli a few days before race day, there are also plenty of trails and paths to run and cycle, if you want to become familiar with the route. The Peninsula is also surrounded by plenty of beaches, including Kabatepe village, where you’ll find Brighton Beach for a swim.”
Race-cation – A city of culture
“If you’ve never visited Gallipoli before, we highly recommend staying for a few days post race to do some sightseeing. The city is full of historic buildings, and along the peninsula, rolling fields, memorials and castles await you.
“The first stop on your cultural tour has to be the Helles Memorial, which is permanently open and can be visited at any time. The Helles Memorial serves the dual function of Commonwealth battle memorial for the whole Gallipoli campaign and place of commemoration for many of those Commonwealth servicemen who died there and have no known grave. Over 20,000 names are commemorated on this memorial.
“Another memorial to visit is Lone Pine Memorial, a site which looks over the whole front line from 1915, as well as Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, and Martyrs’ Memorial.
“The Ancient City of Troy, located within the provincial borders of Çanakkale and 30k from the centre, near Tevfikiye and Ciplak villages, is an important location where trade routes meet between the two continents.
“For a change of scenery, why not take a ferry over to Gokceada, where you can relax on the beach, wander around the traditional Greek villages, and feast on traditional Turkish food.”
Full article here.
