On the weekend of October 3-4, the magic of the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo returns for the fifth time. It is more than just an international triathlon or a sporting event; hosted by Portosole and part of the Municipality of Sanremo’s official calendar, it brings together diverse cultures and passions, unites seasoned athletes with newcomers, and bridges the gap between young people and other generations.
A total of 800 athletes will be at the starting line, a figure that significantly surpasses last year’s record (which saw 670 participants across the entire weekend).
The schedule features Youth Races (100 athletes) and the Swim & Run event (60 entrants) on Saturday, October 3, followed on Sunday by the Middle Distance Triathlon – the main event with 390 athletes – and the Sprint Distance Triathlon (250 triathletes). Additionally, on Friday the 2nd at 12:00 PM, a bike ride titled “On the Roads of Milan-Sanremo” will be held for triathletes and enthusiasts, led by former professional cyclist Niccolò Bonifazio; this will be followed at 5:30 PM by a roundtable discussion at Portosole regarding the “Dual Career” for student-athletes.
A wide array of nations will be represented: triathletes from 31 countries will be competing, ranging from the most represented nations (France, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, alongside Italy) to places as far afield as China, Chile, South Africa, and Australia, testifying to the event’s and the destination’s strong international character. Geoplin Challenge Sanremo, part of the Challenge Family circuit, will serve as a qualifying race for The Championship, the middle distance world final taking place next May.
“For the fifth consecutive year, we will experience the excitement of Geoplin Challenge Sanremo, with hundreds of athletes from around the world coming to the Liguria region for an international weekend,” says Daniele Moraglia, President of Riviera Triathlon 1992 and Race Director. “These will be days of shared experiences, a passion for triathlon and multisport, and great fun. I am thrilled to welcome athletes, coaches, family, friends, enthusiasts, and curious spectators to our headquarters at Portosole and along the race courses that wind through ten municipalities in the Province of Imperia. Every year, the organizing committee goes the extra mile to ensure safety on these courses, which are as stunning as they are challenging, and to create an unforgettable weekend for everyone attending. I must thank the local authorities and institutions for their growing support of the event, as well as Geoplin Italia, the event’s title sponsor, for believing in us this year. Together with the core team and all our volunteers, we are fully committed to ensuring you enjoy extraordinary days, still with a touch of summer, on the magnificent Riviera dei Fiori”.
EVENT OVERVIEW
Geoplin Challenge Sanremo is an Italian leg of the international Challenge Family circuit, held in Sanremo at Portosole, in the heart of the Ligurian Riviera. Now in its fifth edition, the race weekend features the Middle Distance event (1.9 km swim, 81 km bike, 21.1 km run), the Sprint Distance Triathlon (0.75 km swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), the Swim & Run (including SwimRun and Aquathlon formats, for individuals and teams), and Youth Races. The cycling leg, challenging, technical, and spectacular, retraces the final stretch of the Milan-Sanremo classic, making the course unique on the international triathlon circuit. Having seen steady growth in registrations over recent years, the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo has established itself as one of the most beloved stops on the international calendar, thanks to its scenery, hospitality, and race atmosphere.
CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL AREA
The race passes through 11 municipalities in the province of Imperia (Sanremo, Taggia, Riva Ligure, Santo Stefano al Mare, Terzorio, Pompeiana, Castellaro, Badalucco, Bajardo, Ceriana and Ospedaletti), reinforcing its bond with the entire Western Ligurian region. Although the event takes place outside the peak tourist season, it offers a valuable opportunity for global visibility and promotion for all the areas involved.
The event headquarters will be located at Portosole. In addition to the chance to swim in clear, calm waters and the appeal of the Riviera dei Fiori cycle-pedestrian path, the race office, transition area, and finish line will be set up in one of the Mediterranean’s most charming marinas. This setting piques the interest of athletes, who are drawn by the striking images from previous years featuring moored boats and yachts serving as a picturesque backdrop. Furthermore, the organizational quality, which grows year after year thanks to dedication and continuous investment, makes this event increasingly sought-after by athletes from abroad, eager to enjoy a quintessentially Italian sporting experience.
Finally, thanks to close collaboration with local authorities, the process of resurfacing and maintaining the roads used for the race routes continues; this makes the event safer and more enjoyable for all participants while providing a tangible benefit to the athletes who use these roads year-round.
TITLE SPONSOR
For the first time in its history, the international triathlon will have a title sponsor. Geoplin is entering the world of Italian sport, choosing a region and an event that perfectly embodies the company’s values: an international occasion capable of attracting athletes and enthusiasts from across the globe, bringing with it a diverse culture, a spirit of openness, and a truly global outlook. Geoplin Challenge Sanremo thus becomes the ideal stage for a partnership uniting sport, the local area, and shared values, positive energy, sustainability, and community, representing a company that, much like triathletes, counts flexibility and adaptability among its winning traits.
GREETINGS FROM OFFICIALS, INSTITUTION AND AUTHORITIES
Simona Ferro, Vice President of the Liguria Region, Sports Councilor
“The Geoplin Challenge Sanremo is a highly significant event for Ligurian sport and an extraordinary promotional opportunity for Sanremo and the entire Riviera dei Fiori. On October 3rd and 4th, the city will once again welcome athletes and enthusiasts from around the globe, confirming its ability to host international-scale events and demonstrating the tangible growth of this sporting initiative year after year. Furthermore, Geoplin Italia’s arrival as title sponsor marks another step forward in the event’s evolution, showing how sport, the local area, and major partnerships can join forces to create new opportunities. With its landscape, welcoming atmosphere, and international outlook, Sanremo provides the ideal setting to showcase a dynamic, appealing Liguria that is increasingly taking center stage through sport”.
Luca Lombardi, Councilor for Tourism and Leisure for the Liguria Region
“The Geoplin Challenge Sanremo is a concrete example of how tourism and sports can work together to boost visitor numbers and promote the region, even outside the traditional peak months. This year, 800 athletes will be at the starting line, clearly surpassing last year’s record of approximately 670 participants across the entire weekend: 100 in the Youth Races, 60 in the Swim-Run, 390 in the Middle-Distance Triathlon, and 250 in the Sprint Triathlon. According to an analysis by the organizers, the event has already brought over 4,000 people to the province of Imperia, generating an economic impact exceeding 900,000 euros. Scheduling the event for the first weekend of October is also significant; it creates a new travel opportunity outside the high season and reinforces the concept of Liguria as a destination to be enjoyed twelve months a year. Furthermore, the local area does not merely serve as a backdrop for the race but becomes an integral part of it: the sea, the cycle-pedestrian path, the villages, the Argentina Valley, and Poggio combine to create an experience that blends tourism, sports, outdoor activities, landscapes, and local identity. And the impact extends beyond the weekend itself, as some athletes return throughout the year to test the courses, train, and attend training camps, thereby generating further visits and introducing Western Liguria to an international audience”.
Claudio Scajola, President of the Province of Imperia
“Triathletes are ambassadors for our region’s sporting spirit; the coast and the hinterland offer them an ideal setting to compete, immersed in the beauty and diversity of our landscape. It is therefore with great pleasure that I welcome all participants to the fifth edition of Challenge Sanremo, an event that showcases triathlon from both a promotional and a purely competitive perspective. I thank the organizers for the growth in participation, which further confirms the event’s international stature, and I wish all the triathletes an enjoyable experience”.
Alessandro Mager, Mayor of Sanremo
“Celebrating the fifth edition of the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo marks a significant milestone for our city, reaffirming its vocation for hosting major sporting events. This edition, with its increased numbers and influx of international athletes, rewards the hard work put in and demonstrates Sanremo’s year-round appeal. The new scheduling in early October provides the perfect backdrop for two days of great sport, combining a passion for triathlon with the beauty of our region”.
Alessandro Sindoni, Councilor for Tourism and Sport, Municipality of Sanremo
“Challenge Sanremo proves itself once again to be a vital driver of tourism, capable of generating significant economic impact and attracting a growing number of international visitors. The Challenge format is the key to the event’s success, effectively engaging families, enthusiasts, and visitors alike. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the athletes who have chosen our Riviera for this fifth edition to enjoy an unforgettable sporting and tourism experience”.
Prudenza Carbone, CRM Director at Geoplin Italia
“We chose Challenge Sanremo because it embodies a vision of energy that resonates with us. Triathlon demands preparation, consistency, and the ability to read conditions and adapt quickly, qualities that also define our approach to a complex and ever-evolving market. There is another aspect that matters greatly to us: the event’s international scope, set within a region with a strong, distinctive identity, Sanremo and the Riviera dei Fiori. Geoplin is rooted in a European heritage, operates across multiple markets, and is building its presence in Italy with that same mindset: openness, flexibility, and a focus on people’s needs. Being the Title Sponsor means far more than simply attaching our name to a race. It means taking part in an event that brings together sport, the local area, people, and diverse cultures, bringing to Sanremo the positive energy we aim to embody as a brand”.
Giovanna Mascolo, Marketing Manager at Portosole Sanremo
“Once again, sport is coming to the marina, creating a meeting point for athletes and, above all, an ever-growing number of enthusiasts and families. At Portosole, we share the organizers’ satisfaction and are delighted to contribute to such a successful event, which radiates so much energy and passion. Championing the bond between sport, the sea, and the local area is central to our values; it is an authentic way to engage the city and showcase it from fresh, captivating perspectives.”
Jort Vlam, CEO of Challenge Family
“We are thrilled to return to Sanremo, a spectacular setting that has attracted so many athletes from 31 countries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community and the surrounding areas for their support, as well as the volunteers, the city, and, of course, the athletes; we look forward to another great weekend of sport”.
TIME SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
12:00 On the roads of Milan-Sanremo: a group ride with former pro cyclist Niccolò Bonifazio, exploring the Cipressa and Poggio climbs Portosole
17:30 Roundtable on the Student-Athlete Dual Career, featuring nationally renowned athletes and local officials Portosole
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
10:00 – 15:30 Youth Races Portosole
15:30 Youth race awards ceremony Portosole
16:30 Portosole Swim & Run Portosole
18:00 Portosole Swim & Run awards ceremony Portosole
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
09:00 Race Start of Geoplin Challenge Sanremo – Middle Distance Antenna Beach
10:00 Race Start of Portosole Sprint Triathlon Portosole
10:55 Race Finish of Portosole Sprint Triathlon Portosole
13:00 Race Finish of first competitor in Geoplin Challenge Sanremo – Middle Distance Portosole
14:00 Sprint Distance Triathlon awards ceremony Portosole
17:30 Challenge Sanremo – Middle Distance awards ceremony and ‘The Championship’ slot allocation Portosole
