Israman Joins Challenge Family Global Triathlon Series, Celebrates 25th Anniversary as Challenge Israman
Since its inception in 1999, Israman has been synonymous with excellence, attracting athletes from all corners of the globe to the shores of Eilat, Israel. The decision to join the Challenge Family series comes as part of Israman's ongoing commitment to enhancing the triathlon experience for athletes and fans alike, ensuring a brighter and more exhilarating future for the sport.
The 25th anniversary race, set to take place on 26 January 2024, will continue the tradition of offering a challenging and picturesque course that showcases the breath-taking landscapes of Eilat and the surrounding area. Athletes can expect an unforgettable race experience that blends the unique allure of Israman with the renowned quality and standards of Challenge Family.
Challenge Israman will feature a range of race options, catering to athletes of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The event will continue to uphold its reputation for challenging courses, with options for both middle and long distances, as well as relay races.
This partnership will further raise the profile of Challenge Israman on the global stage, attracting world-class athletes and triathlon enthusiasts from around the world and cementing its status as a must-attend race on the international triathlon calendar. It will also provide a platform for professional athletes to earn points towards the Challenge Family World Bonus, plus be a PTO Silver Tier event, further incentivising top-tier competition at the event.
"There is no better gift for the 25th anniversary of Israman than the association with the international Challenge brand, which specialises in long-distance triathlons and is considered by many athletes to be the best in the world,” said Merav Itshaki, CEO of Shvoong, the local event organising company. “The dream of turning Israman, which is chosen year after year as one of the 10 most beautiful and challenging competitions in the world, into an international competition in Israel is finally coming true. We are sure the connection between the brands will boost the competition to the next level, will significantly increase the number of international athletes coming to compete in Israel in the winter, under excellent conditions in Eilat and will allow the local athletes to experience an international event that retains its local characteristics. Together with Challenge, we at Shvoong will make sure the experience of the athletes and their families will be one to remember.”
Eli Lankri, mayor of the city of Eilat, said, " We are delighted and excited to announce the inclusion of Israman in the international Challenge Family triathlon series, joining both the professional circuit and international events, as they celebrate 25 years of excellence. The incorporation of 'Israman Eilat' into the renowned Challenge triathlon series undoubtedly elevates its profile, drawing more participants and spectators. Attendees can anticipate an exceptional and well-organized competition set against a captivating and untamed backdrop, recognised by triathlon experts as one of the world's top 10 events. I would like to commend the 'Israman Eilat’ team for their ongoing commitment and efforts and our seamless collaboration with the Challenge series. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the loyal participants of 'Israman Eilat' who visit us annually to take part in this esteemed event, appreciate our beautiful scenery and vibrant community, and share our deep routed tradition. Best wishes and success to all!"
Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Challenge Israman to the Challenge Family global triathlon series. Israman has a rich history with a dedicated following and is an important economic and touristic asset for the region. We look forward to working closely with the team to elevate the event's global presence, opening doors for international athletes, and helping ensure an inclusive and dynamic future for triathlon in Israel."
Four-time Israman champion, Dan Alterman said he is looking forward to the 2024 Challenge Israman, “Israman has been one of my main goals in recent years. For the past four years I have won the title of Israeli champion over the long distance on one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in the world in this difficult race. It is a great pride and a huge satisfaction to compete in these conditions, alongside my family and alongside the great encouragement of many people. I can’t wait for the upcoming 2024 Challenge Israman, and to bring myself to the peak and to the limit of my ability."
For more information about Challenge Israman and registration details for the 25th anniversary race on 26 January 2024, please visit www.challenge-israman.com.
About Challenge Israman
Challenge Israman is the leading and oldest long distance in Israel with approximately 2,000 athletes and 12,000 spectators. The competition has been held for 25 years and has won international recognition and brings many athletes from abroad, thanks to the testing course, the spectacular views, and the high-quality organisation. The event is a strategic and touristic asset of the LOC, Shvoong, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport, the Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Municipality.
About Challenge Family
Challenge Family features over 30 long and middle distance triathlons around the globe. With spectacular courses in iconic destinations, no Challenge Family race is like any other. Focusing on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities, Challenge Family races provide unforgettable experiences that capture all the excitement and emotions of this inspirational sport for competitors, friends, family and supporters alike. #wearetriathlon #allabouttheathlete
The winners at Israman: "We just love to compete in this great competition"
The first jump was set for 6:20 on Friday morning, when it was still dark outside, but towards the beach the athletes in suits and swimming hats in different colors flowed according to the different allotments. Despite the fears of cold and winds, the weather was excellent and there was no sign of the wind and temperatures that were here only last Wednesday. What all the winners at ISRAMAN have in common at full distance and half distance is that everyone praised and told at the end how much they love this special competition, even though perhaps precisely because it is no small physical challenge for them.
Israman at full distance
At the full distance of the in men, Dan Alterman won for the second time after winning this track already in 2017. Alterman won in a time of 9:52:28 hours and was 6:51 minutes ahead of Dan Connie who finished in a time of 9:59:19 hours 'And was a competition for him along the entire bike path along 180 km. The podium was closed by Amit Shaked who arrived 11:27 minutes after Alterman and finished the competition in a time of 10:03:55 hours.
In the full distance in the women, Limor Hagani won, which for her is the first time she has won the long distance in Ishraman in a time of 11:48:49 hours. In second place came Irena Mazin, a veteran athlete at Bishraman who also won several times in the long distance in a time of 12:05:16 hours.
Half Israel
At a distance of half in Bishraman, Olympic triathlete Ran Sagiv was also expected to compete, but due to becoming a Corona national last week, he was forced to give up the competition. The winner in the half distance is Roi Zoarz who came first in a time of 4:38:12 hours. Itamar Eshed, who came in second place, competed shoulder to shoulder in considerable parts of the competition against Zoarz and reached the finish line only 9 seconds later in a time of 4:38:21 hours. The podium was closed by Udi Elhanati, who arrived 6:25 minutes after Zoarz and finished in a time of 4:44:37 hours.
In the women's Israman semi-final, Antonina Reznikov won, who was registered for the full distance, but moved to the half distance due to the World Championship at Ultraman, where she competes in about two weeks. Reznikov has won 4 times to date at full distance and this was for her the first time she has won the half distance in this competition. Reznikov arrived in a time of 5:14:43 hours and said after the victory that she really likes the competition and for her this is the home field as a resident of Eilat. In second place came Hadas Mazar in a time of 5:31:59 hours with a big gap from Reznikov who stood at 17:16 min. In third place was Roni Zevlik, who arrived in 5:51:35.
The Israeli pro competitors at the full distance restored the Israman crown by dominating with a wire-to-wire performance in both the men’s and women’s race at a record breaking day in the Israman
Israeli Omri Gazit (9:47:27) won the race with an impressive wire-to-wire lead over the field. The defending Israeli champion Dan Alterman (9:55:44) was second after a thrilling chase followed by one of the best run splits in Israman history. Israeli Amit Shaked (10:00:53) rounded up the podium with a stealth and steady performance.
In the women's race the defending champion and 3 time Israman winner from Israel Antonina Reznikov (10:29:30) defended her crown successfully and broke the race record that was held by her once again.
In second place was previous Israman champion Irena Mazin (12:30:23) from Israel in her 11th appearance at the race.
In the half distance, it was belgian Diego Van looy half distance three-peat (4:30:33) who blasted his way to the finish line with a men's best bike and run closing a swim deficit. In second Erik-Simon Strijk of Netherlands (4:37:25) with a stellar performance and in third Eilat based Roee Zo-Arets (4:42:40) which rounded up the podium once again with an improvement over last year.
In the women’s race the Olympic Triathlon world champion Nicola Spirig from Swiss in a one-woman show wire-to-wire dominating performance (4:47:26). Nicola broke the previous record held by Alice Hector of Great Britain by 16 minutes. Katharina Grohmann ( 5:23:29) from Germany had not many options left and finished second. Hadas Mazar (5:37:33) from Israel finished third.