Challenge Salou brings together the world's triathlon elite for its professional press conference.

Challenge Salou held its official professional press conference today, bringing together some of the most prominent international and national triathletes, along with key representatives of the organization and local authorities, on the eve of the major event that will take place tomorrow, Sunday, May 11.

 This act marks a special moment: the 10 º aniversario de Challenge Salou.

An event with a high level of professionals

The press conference was conducted by Juanan Fernández, CEO of Challenge Salou, and was attended by:

• Pere Granados, mayor of Salou.
• Richard Belderok, CTO of Challenge Family.
• Victor Arroyo Bugallo, Spanish long-distance champion.
• Thomas Davis, a British triathlete who regularly attends Salou, with several podium finishes.
• jonathan wayaffe, winner of Challenge Barcelona and Challenge Mallorca.
• Anne Haug, world champion HOMBRE DE HIERRO, winner at Roth and world record holder.
• Judith Corachán, Spanish champion, ITU LD world runner-up and double winner in Salou.
• Marlene deBoer, Dutch triathlete, national long-distance record holder in 2024.
• Elisabetta Curridori, Italian triathlete, with multiple participations and podium finishes in Salou.

Julen, the official speaker of the event, was in charge of facilitating questions for the athletes.

Record numbers for a historic edition

Juanan Fernández presented relevant data that reflect the growth of Challenge Salou:

• 2.000 triathletes registered in all modalities.
• 48% international participation.
• 53 nationalities represented.
• Participants who stay an average of more than four days in Salou.
• 55 professional triathletes on the starting line.

The 48% foreign participation is distributed mainly between France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany y United States, and the presence of athletes from New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, India and South Africa.

In addition, the event delivers a prize pool of €25.000 for the Middle Distance test, and is a qualifier for The Championship.

Juanan also highlighted the positive economic impact for the city, consolidating Salou as a key destination for sports tourism and contributing to the deseasonalization of tourism.

Declarations of the protagonists

Richard Belderok, CTO of Challenge Family, highlighted that Salou “has been a vital part” of the franchise's growth over the past 10 years, valuing the atmosphere as “a true triathlon festival” that goes beyond professional competition.

Among the athletes:

• Elisabetta Curridori He remembered that Salou was his first flat race as a professional in 2018, where she finished fifth. She emphasized her affection for the atmosphere and the organization.
• Marlene deBoer celebrated his big 2024, where he achieved the Dutch national record in long distance. In 2025, she decided to focus on middle distance and expressed her “excitement” about competing again in Salou, highlighting the “great organizational fluidity” of the event.
• Judith Corachán He expressed his joy at returning to Salou, where he achieved two "unexpected" victories in previous years due to the extremely high level of competition. Although he acknowledged that repeating the victory will be difficult, he relies on the "special luck" that has always accompanied him in this event.
• Anne Haug She explained that her season began unexpectedly due to health issues. After a test at a local triathlon and receiving medical approval, she decided to compete in Salou, looking to "gain competitive rhythm" for her future long-distance goals. She admitted that she's now more focused on long-distance events and that explosive middle-distance speed poses a greater challenge for her.
• Víctor Arroyo He said he felt "at home" in Salou. He said he's racing "without pressure" and is looking for positive sensations in what he considers his "real start to the season."
• Thomas Davis He highlighted the logistical ease of competing from the United Kingdom and how the flat Salou circuit suits his triathlon profile. He confessed that his strategy will be to "push the pace in the swim" to form a competitive group from the first segment.
• jonathan wayaffe, a debutant in Salou, commented that his goal is to "minimize losses in the swimming" to take advantage of its "strong cycling and running segment." He confirmed that the course "is as fast as promised" and praised the city's sporting atmosphere.

Institutional support

Pere Granados, Mayor of Salou, closed the event by thanking Challenge Family for their trust over these 10 years, describing Salou as “one of the most important sports tourist destinations in Spain” and highlighting the municipal commitment to social sustainability through high-level sporting events.

Schedule and how to follow the Challenge Salou 2025

The big event will begin on Sunday May 11 first thing in the morning:

• 08:00 h (CEST): Men's PRO Start (Middle Distance).

• 08:05 h (CEST): Women's PRO Start (Middle Distance).

• 08:20 h (CEST): Age Group Departure (Middle Distance).

Fans will be able to follow the results in real time through the Official Live Tracker en challenge-family.live, where the positions and times of all participants will be updated as the competition progresses.

The first triathletes are expected to cross the finish line around 11: 30 pm. Afterwards, the finishers will enjoy the traditional Finisher Paella Party and award ceremony will take place from 16: 00 pm in the Plaça de les Comunitats Autònomes.

Challenge Salou once again offers a unique experience that combines top-level sport, a family atmosphere, and the hospitality of the Costa Daurada.