Over a thousand athletes from all over the world, thousands of fans along the course, and competition in extreme, tropical conditions. The 6th edition of LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE is behind us, further strengthening Gdańsk’s position as one of the most important capitals of European triathlon. In Sunday’s most prestigious professional competition on the middle distance of the Challenge Family series, after a grueling battle in full sun, Serbia’s Ognjen Stojanovic triumphed among men, while Gdańsk’s Marta Łagownik won the women’s race.
– It was a unique edition, record-breaking in many respects. Every year, more and more participants line up at the start, which is the greatest expression of trust from the athletes. This year, the heat was an additional, huge challenge for everyone, but the sporting and organizational level remained at the highest standard. We are pleased with the strong international interest and the fact that athletes are so eager to return. Once again, we have proven that Gdańsk is an excellent place for triathlon, and that attention to the highest organizational standards brings the expected results – emphasizes race director Adam Greczyło.
FRIDAY – THE BEGINNING OF SPORTING EMOTIONS IN A HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE
Before the adult triathletes began their competition, the youngest athletes took part in the TREFL Aquathlon Gdańsk on a very hot Friday afternoon. On the beach in Brzeźno, children and youth aged 7–17 competed over distances adapted to their age. Although the sun was intense, the sea breeze and the great energy of the participants created a perfect spectacle. This year, the organizers once again ensured a family-friendly atmosphere, repeating the success of previous editions, where the integration of young athletes was very popular.
SATURDAY – A DYNAMIC SPRINT IN FULL SUN
Saturday morning opened with sprint distance racing. Triathletes had to complete 750 m of swimming, 20 km of cycling, and 5 km of running. High temperatures from early morning forced competitors to manage their energy wisely.
The competition was extremely spectacular. Among men, Dariusz Dąbrowski proved unbeatable, winning with a time of 1:07:06.
– This is an absolutely unique place on the map of Poland. Often local residents do not appreciate what they have at their fingertips, while the whole country comes here for holidays. As for the race itself, the water conditions were very good. I swam great, although it is a pity there were no waves, as they add extra flavor to the competition. On the bike, I gave absolutely everything, I went all out. The run, on the other hand, was pure survival, especially after the effort of the previous day – said the smiling winner of the sprint Challenge Gdańsk at the finish line.
In the women’s field, Karolina Zamarripa left no chances for her rivals, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:09:54.
– Today’s conditions were extremely demanding, the high temperature was noticeable even in the water. I feel that last year it was slightly easier to race. An additional difficulty was the nature of the loop, which made it impossible to fully control the situation and see who was running just behind you. The course turned out to be very tough and hilly, but I personally like such challenges, so it suited my preferences perfectly. Moments when we could run in the shade provided excellent relief. It became much harder in full sun, especially on non-asphalt sections. It was a real “death march,” but in the end everything went very well – summarized the sprint distance winner just after the finish.
On Saturday afternoon, the women’s Czaniecki Challenge Women by Brooks run also generated excitement, which, as every year, had a recreational and charitable character. Despite the heat, over a hundred participants stood at the start ready to combine sporting passion with helping others. The battle for victory lasted until the finish line at the pier in Gdańsk-Brzeźno. From the beginning, decorated ultramarathon runner Katarzyna Krupicka took the lead, setting a strong pace. Only Barbara Streng managed to keep up, “riding on her wheel” for almost the entire distance, and an attack in the last 200 meters gave her the victory. As in previous years, entry fees from this run will be donated to the Pomeranian Children’s Hospice. A tradition of the Gdańsk event has also become the relay competition full of positive energy, where the fight for top places was extremely fierce, and proper hydration strategy on the course proved to be the key to success.
SUNDAY – THE DECISIVE ELITE RACE ON THE MIDDLE DISTANCE
At 8:00 a.m., the most prestigious competition of the weekend began – the PRO middle distance (1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run), part of the global Challenge Family series. The world’s elite athletes lined up at the start, and weather conditions from the very first minutes promised a true test of character. The scorching sun and high temperature made the run course at times extremely demanding.
In the PRO men’s category, the favored Serbian Ognjen Stojanovic won after an outstanding performance, with an excellent time given the conditions of 3:43:41. The best Polish athlete today was Jakub Maliszewski, who finished 15th with a time of 4:04:17.
To the great joy of the fans, Gdańsk’s Marta Łagownik triumphed among women, completing the demanding distance in an excellent time of 4:07:43.
– Today I can confidently say that this race is done with full focus from the start to the very finish. I am extremely happy that I could win in my hometown. It is an amazing feeling to hear your loved ones and fans cheering you on along the course and constantly shouting: “Marta, come on, you’ll bring it to the finish, we’re waiting for you!”. I am glad I achieved this in Gdańsk. A few years ago I competed here and finished off the podium, so I won’t hide that this time my appetite for victory was big. The day before, many people asked me if I would win. For an athlete, this can be hard to carry, so I tried not to think about the victory itself. I focused on using my strengths and making as few mistakes as possible. In triathlon, you don’t really win with a perfect race, but by being able to minimize mistakes, because they always happen on the course. Athletes unanimously emphasized the excellent organizational conditions – perfectly prepared refreshment and hydration points, a fast and safe cycling course, and the incredible support of fans along the entire run course, especially in this heat – said the happy Gdańsk athlete Marta Łagownik after the finish line.
GLOBAL BRAND AND EVENT DEVELOPMENT
Excellent sporting results and a unique atmosphere are Gdańsk’s showcase, attracting the world elite every year. Let us recall that the Gdańsk event has received prestigious distinctions within the global Challenge Family series – including the Race Of The Year title for its debut edition, an award for the best finisher zone, and the Gold Award granted directly by athletes in surveys.
Throughout the tropical weekend, athletes and fans praised not only the sporting level but also excellent logistics and the invaluable help of volunteers, who took care of cooling athletes at every kilometer. The consistently high organizational level and the unique seaside location on the Baltic make LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE a permanent fixture in the calendar of the most important sporting events in Poland.
More information: www.facebook.com/challengegdansk
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sławek Rykowski
Head of the Press Office, Spokesperson
+48 500 121 908
