Challenge Istanbul

Name: Challenge Istanbul
Start: 2023-09-03T08:00:00+03:00
Location: Beykoz

Schedule

Sun Sep 03 2023 at 08:00 am

UTC+03:00

Location

Beykoz | Istanbul, IB

Five Reasons to Race Challenge Istanbul:
1. The ancient city of Istanbul’s unique location between east and
west
2. Be part of the first ever inter-continental triathlon in the world
3. Chance to swim in the Bosphorus, surrounded by the iconic
Istanbul cityscape
4. Cross the bridge from Asia to Europe on the bike course – two
continents in one day!
5. An historic run course past the waterside mansions and
Anatolian Fortress
ABOUT THE RACE
Istanbul is a unique city that has been the capital of two great empires, where you can breathe in all kinds of history while getting lost in its unique nature. While traces of the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman Empires lively welcome the visitors in the Historic Peninsula (Tarihi Yarımada), the most important museums of our country are also located in Istanbul. Istanbul, which became the centre of science, culture, and art during the Ottoman period, still maintains a magnificent tolerance in the period of the Republic of Turkey, where mosques, synagogues and churches live side by side.
The race takes place on the Asian coast of Istanbul, on the coast of Beykoz, a charming district preferred by the locals for weekend leisure activities. Transition is the grassed area between Göksu and Küçüksu (deresi) Creeks. Although this area was one of the private gardens of the sultans on the Bosporus during the Ottoman period, today it is known as one of the most popular public recreation areas for the locals right next to the historic Küçüksu Kasrı.
The swim starts from the historical Kanlıca (İskelesi) Pier. As the starting siren breaks the silence on both sides of İstanbul, it is now only a matter of time before you find yourself under the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge with the gentle current and warm waters of the Bosporus. As the sunrise shines on the mansions lined up on both sides of the Bosporus like pearls, we turn our strokes to the left and head towards the Küçüksu (İskelesi) Pier after seeing the Rumeli (Hisarı) Fortress on our right.
On the bike, after a very short uphill and athletes enter a wonderful fast asphalt road with magnificent views providing a visual feast along the way, watching the Istanbul panorama. The surprise crowning this visual feast is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. Athletes enter the bridge from the continent of Asia and exit onto the continent of Europe and so you become an intercontinental triathlete!
Leaving T2, the run heads right next to the (Anadolu Hisarı) Anatolian Fortress, which was built by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid 1st between 1393 and 1394 as part of the preparations for the siege of the then Byzantine city, Constantinople. Heading towards the north, athletes get the chance to see the other side of the Bosporus shore this time with its stunning mansions lining the shore. Running under the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the course continues by turning from Çiftlik (Caddesi) Street and the first of three laps is completed. The finish is situated at Küçüksu (Çayırı) Meadow where it’s time to celebrate becoming an intercontinental triathlete!