CLASH Endurance Announces the Return of the “Daytona Distance”

July 26, 2022

Professionals Race the Unique Course for a chance at $100,000 Prize Purse

(Daytona Beach, FL) July, 2022/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – At the inaugural CLASH Endurance DAYTONA in 2018, inclement weather and thunderstorms forced organizers to delay the race. In turn, this allowed for the creation of a unique course/distance designed by the athletes. Race organizers are thrilled to announce they are returning to the “Daytona Distance” format for professionals in the event taking place on December 2, 2022. The “Daytona Distance” consists of a two-loop (1.6k/ 1mi) swim in Lake Loyd, a 15-lap (60.35km/ 37.5mi) bike followed by a three-lap (13.2km/ 8.2mi) run all inside the Daytona International Speedway. Pros from around the globe will race for their stake at a $100K prize purse that will pay eight deep among male and female athletes.

“This moment was profound in my 22 years of racing as a professional. Event organizers never imagined we would want to stay inside the venue. The compromise between the pro field and CLASH Endurance Team made for the creation of the most exciting and spectator friendly long-course triathlons ever,” said 2nd place finisher that year and now Director of Business Development of CLASH Endurance, Alicia Kaye.

Much was learned and discussed during the weather delay, as pro athletes gathered amidst the CLASH Endurance Team and the pros had a thorough and animated discussion on next steps. The decision was made that conducting the race entirely inside the speedway was the safest and best call; and distances for the new course were agreed upon; a 1-mile swim, 37.5-mile bike and 8.2-mile run.This decision allowed for an unexpected benefit to athletes and spectators; the ability to experience the pro race from numerous vantage points and allow for those incredible performances to more easily translate into a televised product.

CLASH Endurance CEO, Bill Christy recognized an opportunity to leverage the award-winning crew at NASCAR Productions, “We take great pride in setting a new standard for live event and televised coverage of triathlon. Showcasing endurance sports in a dynamic way in venues that allow us to cover the entire race can truly change the future of our sport. As a sports media company, CLASH Endurance will continue to raise the bar and look for exciting ways to tell endurance sports stories.” NBC will once again broadcast  the 2022 CLASH Endurance Daytona Event in late December on NBC.

On December 2, 2022, the professional women will begin the race at 8:00 a.m. and professional men will follow at 11:00 a.m. giving each field a clear course for competition. To remove lapped athlete congestion and provide an optimal broadcast, the professional field will be limited to 40 women and 40 men. Professionals will be racing for their share of a $100,000 USD prize purse as well as a number of bonuses that will be announced event weekend..  Furthermore, CLASH Endurance DAYTONA also offers a valuable opportunity to score late season points for the CHALLENGEFAMILY World Bonus which awards an additional $125,000 USD to the top five male and females in the ranking.

In addition to the professional races, athletes of all abilities have a variety of events during the endurance festival weekend in which to participate including Sprint and Middle-Distance Triathlons, a kids race, Relays, Duathlon and a 5K.  Taking place on Friday night and known as “The Jingle Jog,” families and runners/walkers of all ages will experience one of Florida’s largest holiday lights display throughout the 5K course. Additionally, live music, food and merchandise will be on-hand.

Professional athletes interested in securing a start position at the 2022 CLASH Endurance DAYTONA pro race are invited to contact Alicia Kaye, Director of Business Development and Professional Competition at alicia@clash-usa.com. Registration and more information can be found at www.clash-usa.com. Media inquiries and those interested in covering the race may contact Blair LaHaye, blair@clash-usa.com.

CLASH Endurance®, previously known as CHALLENGENORTHAMERICA, is led by athletes to enhance the athlete race experience and their families to deliver exceptional endurance sports event festivals at iconic speedways across the U.S. Our mission is to advance the sport with family-friendly, professionally managed races for all ages and race abilities. CLASH Endurance has four events in 2022 with growth planned in the year ahead. The popular CLASHEndurance DAYTONA is held at the Daytona International Speedway®, home of “The Great American Race™®”—the Daytona 500. In addition, the new “bucket-list” event among triathletes is CLASH Endurance MIAMI that took place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway® March 11-13, 2022. The brand is playing host to two new races this year, in Watkins Glen, NY and Atlanta, GA, taking place on July 8-10 and November 11-13, respectively. CLASH Endurance will further expand its portfolio adding more races in 2023, all of which are planned to include professional races with prize purse offerings and will be televised globally.