Gran Canaria will join the global series of Challenge Family triathlons with today’s announcement of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria on 17 September next year.

Marking the first half distance triathlon on the largest of the Canary Islands, Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria will take place along the spectacular coastline and mountain areas of Mogán in the south west of the island. The race will be based out of the stunning beach resort of Amadores with its 800m stretch of golden sand and crystal clear waters.

The challenging and honest 113km course comes with a backdrop of landscapes of spectacular beauty with broad valleys, interspersed with deep ravines, descending from 1,600m above sea level, to a cliff-lined coast, pocketed with warm, golden beaches.

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the Island Government, have been working for years to strengthen the sport offered to locals and tourists by promoting international sporting events. Events such as Gran Canaria Mara­thon, the international soccer tournament Maspalomas, the Rally Island Gran Canaria, the Windsurfing World Championship and the Trans Gran Canaria are just a few of these milestones.

Race director, Jordi Gonzales said Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria was a perfect fit for the island in its quest to become the ‘European Island of Sport’.

“To date, the island did not have a triathlon race, a race with a wide global reach. Thanks to the international races organized by Challenge Family with its know-how, this is now possible. In this sense, the current Government and the City Council of Mo­gán have decided to promote the annual ce­lebration of this race in an ambitious project to make Gran Canaria the European island of sport. Starting in 2016 there will be a celebration of a great sporting event each month. In September it will be the turn of Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria, the first half distance triathlon to be celebrated on the island.”

“It’s a great honour to for Challenge Family to host Gran Canaria’s first half distance triathlon and be part of the Europe’s Island of Sport,” said Challenge Family CEO, Zibi Szlufcik. “This surely has to be one of Europe’s ultimate triathlon destinations – stunning weather, perfect temperatures, amazing landscapes and fascinating culture, plus heaps for friends and families to do pre and post race. The world’s best have been training here for years, now they can race here too!”

Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria will take place on 17 September 2016 with entries and further information now available at www.challengegrancanaria.com.