During a press conference at Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk, details of this year’s edition of the LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE triathlon competition were presented. The capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship will be the venue for the fifth time. On June 21 and 22, 2025, the competition will begin with a swimming race in the waters of the Bay of Gdańsk, then the triathletes will ride a new cycling route, and the last running stage will end with a finish at the pier in Brzeźno. An integral part of the event is also the TREFL Aquathlon Gdańsk competition for children and the Challenge Women by Brooks charity run for women.
As a warm-up before the Saturday-Sunday competition of triathletes, children and youth aged 7-17 will start in the TREFL Aquathlon Gdańsk competition on Friday, who will race in swimming and running distances adapted to their age. The LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE competition will start on Saturday at 10 a.m. 8:00 a.m. sprint distance – 0.75 km swimming/20 km cycling/5 km running, and at 10:00 a.m. the competitors will start in the Olympic distance (1.5 km/40 km/10 km). On Sunday at 8:00 a.m. the competition will take place in the most prestigious middle distance (1.9 km swimming/90 km cycling/21 km running), which is included in the Challenge Family series.
– Since the first edition, we have been operating together with Totalizator Sportowy, the city of Gdańsk and the Gdańsk Sports Centre, and last year PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna joined our partners. And this is a very effective cooperation – the 2021 edition was recognized as the Race Of The Year of the entire series of 35 events in the world, three years ago we received a distinction for the best finisher’s zone, and last year, in the assessment of the competitors themselves, we received the Gold Award title. Together we make sure that our event has a family character, which is why we also organize a competition for children and youth TREFL Aquathlon and a recreational race for women Challenge Women by Brooks. This year, due to the renovation of Siennicki Bridge, we had to change the cycling route, but thanks to cooperation with the city, we managed to work out a compromise and over a thousand participants from 33 countries, including New Zealand, will be able to start on it – said the director of LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE Adam Greczyło.
– Four years ago, I started in the sprint distance Challenge Gdańsk and it definitely changed my life a bit, and certainly my physical activity. This year I am part of the Gdańsk city relay. I will cycle 20 km, Gdańsk city councilor Łukasz Bejm will swim, and in the last shift, vice-president Piotr Borawski will run 5 km. Of course, organizing such competitions on the streets of cities involves certain inconveniences, but I am convinced that both our residents and guests will be understanding, because it is an excellent promotion not only of Gdańsk, but also of physical activity and universal sport – said Piotr Grzelak, Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk.
– LOTTO Challenge Gdańsk powered by PGE is more than just a sport. It is, above all, people who overcome their own weaknesses, overcome their limits. Triathlon is a sport that cooperates with elements such as wind and water, which is exactly what we do at PGE when creating new energy based on renewable energy sources. We support various sports disciplines, including sailing. Sport is energy, endorphins, cooperation, everything that gives us energy to live and social energy. These are values very close to the values of the Polish Energy Group – said Katarzyna Suwała, Vice President of the Management Board of PGE Energia Ciepła S.A..
– You could say that the wolf is drawn to the forest. After having children, I am returning to triathlon, but not professionally, but for pleasure and health. As a two-time Olympian, I initially thought about resuming competitions in the Olympic distance, but with two small children it was difficult to prepare well for it. So I will start with a sprint – said triathlete Agnieszka Jerzyk.
The ambassador of the event is actress Grażyna Wolszczak, who participated in the conference together with her trainer Monika Słomska, who was preparing her for the start.
– At the beginning of our cooperation, Monika sent me for comprehensive tests and only after they were done, when it turned out that I was healthy, could we start training. This is very important! I have always had this missionary streak in me and I decided to show by my own example that it is never too late to start training. My observation is that movement is life, and stillness is death, and I observed this among my departing loved ones. And that was my main motivation to start moving myself and to inspire those girls who don’t feel like doing anything after they turn 50,” said Wolszczak. Once again, Aleksander Matusiński, a track and field coach and co-creator of women’s successes, is providing substantive care for the preparation for the women’s Challenge Women by Brooks charity run.
Framework programme of events
Friday, 20 June 2025
15:10 START TREFL Aquathlon Gdańsk – children’s and youth competition (swimming and running)
17:00 TREFL Aquathlon Gdańsk award ceremony
Saturday, 21 June 2025
8:00 START – Sprint distance (750 m – 20 km – 5 km)
10:00 START – Olympic distance (1.5 km – 40 km – 10 km)
14:00 Award ceremony for SPRINT and OLYMPIC distance competitors
18:00 START Challenge Women by Brooks
Sunday, 22 June 2025
8:00 START – Medium distance – PRO M
8:02 START – Medium distance – PRO K
8:12 START – Medium Age Group distance – rolling start
16:15 Award ceremony for distance competitors medium
More information about the event at www.challenge-poland.com and www.facebook.com/challengegdansk
