Challenge Family and Rev3 announced that the two series are merging and, starting in 2015, Rev3 races will be part of the Challenge Family global triathlon series and branded as Challenge events. The remaining 2014 Rev3 races such as Cedar Point, Pocono Mountain, Anderson and Florida will take place under the Rev3 colors, but with assistance from Challenge Family. But starting January 2015 it will be all Challenge Family USA with a total of 13 races.
The initial contact of these 2 brands came about at the Triathlon Business International conference when Murphy Reinschreiber and Charlie Patten met during a speed networking session, and the rest is now history.
According to a Challenge Family press release Charlie Patten will remain part of the Challenge USA Board and all employees of Rev3 will keep their jobs, but with the Rev3 name virtually disappearing in a few months we wondered how Charlie Patten, the man behind the Rev3 series felt about his labor of love going away.
“I would be lying if I said it was easy. As a team, we put in many sleepless night, long days, sweat equity and a lot of tears. At first, I was a bit stubborn and felt like it would be insulting to our team if I just gave up on it. Not to mention that I think pride got in my way. After stewing on it for some time, the voice of reason started to speak loudly. The triathlon space is very crowded right now and to have two brands like Rev3 and Challenge competing against each other just seemed silly,” said Charlie Patten of Rev3. “The Challenge Family shares our vision! So after it sunk in, this decision was made easy. We aren't giving up on what we have created, we are simply able to share what we created, but now on a global scale! We don't have to change who we are or why we do what we do. There is no compromise of our values with this move. So after many months of working on this, I know it's the right choice for us and it is the best thing for our sport.”
In April of 2014 Rev3 had announced cutting the prize purse for the Pros and offering an open $4,999 purse for all athletes, and Ironman recently also announced that the pro purses at selected races would disappear. Would this new development now change the scenario - for the Challenge events at least?
“By the end of the year we’ll announce our plans regarding a pro division and prize money structure for the 2015 events - that were formerly produced under the Rev3 banner,” said Challenge Family CEO Zibi Szlufcik. “There will be no Changes to the Pro prize money at our existing races in New Albany, Rancho Cordova and Atlantic City. As always we [Challenge Family] are committed to the pro athletes as much as to the age group athletes and we are very confident to be able to provide welcoming hosting to pro athletes at all our events.”
“This strategic partnership of two amazing brands is simply a natural fit. We share the same values and are working towards the same objectives with endless passion for a healthy sport of triathlon along with our team, our partners, communities and races,” added Szlufcik,. “We are extremely proud being able to change the face of triathlon, reflecting the real values of this wonderful sport and respecting the legacy of triathlon. Together, nothing less than a quality leadership is our focus, delivering excellent experiences for athletes.”
In 2015 Challenge Knoxville, Challenge Quassy, Challenge Williamsburg, Challenge Maine, Challenge Cedar Point, Challenge Pocono Mountains, Challenge Anderson, Challenge Venice and Challenge Ixtapa in Mexico will join the existing races of Challenge Atlantic City, Challenge New Albany and Challenge Rancho Cordova under the Challenge Family USA banner.
More information at challenge-familyusa.com.
