Excitement and fun defined the opening day of the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo 2026. It was a morning dedicated to the next generation, featuring around a hundred young athletes competing at Portosole, taking the chance to test themselves in an event with an international atmosphere, a tradition since the race was born.
Triathletes across various age groups – Youth B and Youth A (14–15 years old), Ragazzi (12–13), Esordienti (10–11), Cuccioli (8–9), MiniCuccioli (6–7), and even two young “Propaganda” category participants – delivered spectacular performances over their respective race distances. These ranged from a 50m swim, 500m bike ride, and 250m run for the youngest competitors to a 400m swim, 6km bike ride, and 2km run for the oldest, thrilling the crowds, families, support teams, and fans lining the Portosole quays.
Next up was the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo Swim & Run (Alessio Bianchi Memorial), a promotional race added to the event program last year. It consists of a 400m swim and a 2km run repeated three times, totaling a 1.2km swim and a 6km run. The more than 60 participants competed individually – using either a “swimrun” or “triathlon” format – or in pairs. Tomorrow, the Geoplin Challenge Sanremo program kicks into high gear with the middle-distance race (1.9 km swim, 80 km bike, and 21 km run) – which will pass through 11 municipalities in the Province of Imperia – and the Sprint Triathlon, covering the most iconic road of the Milan-Sanremo route, including the ascent and descent of the famous Poggio di Sanremo. A total of 650 athletes from 31 countries will be at the starting line.
TIME SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
09:00 Geoplin Challenge Sanremo (Middle Distance) Start – Antenna Beach
10:00 Sprint Triathlon Start – Portosole
10:55 Sprint Triathlon Finish – Portosole
13:00 First finisher arrival: Geoplin Challenge Sanremo (Middle Distance) – Portosole
14:00 Sprint Triathlon Award Ceremony – Portosole
17:30 Challenge Sanremo (Middle Distance) Award Ceremony and “The Championship” slot allocation – Portosole
RESULTS – SWIM & RUN / NUOTA E CORRI
RESULTS – YOUTH RACES / GARE GIOVANILI
