CLASH Endurance Set to Bring Record Numbers to the Daytona International Speedway this weekend

December 6, 2024

Dec. 5, 2024 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – For the 7^th consecutive year, CLASH Endurance brings a weekend of family fun, performance and fitness to the Daytona International Speedway. Taking place this weekend, December 6-8, more than 3,000 participants ranging in age from four to 80+ will take on the iconic speedway with athletes visiting from more than 46 states and nearly 20 countries. A variety of events including a 5K, kids’ triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, triathlons (varying in distance), 1-mile swim, Test Track and Redline Relay provide a festival-style weekend in addition to free activities for spectators including an expo, live music, food trucks, beer/wine garden and much more.

The USA Triathlon Long Course National Championship will once again take place at CLASH Endurance Daytona, drawing hundreds of age group competitors vying for a national title. Each will compete against the most competitive athletes in the sport in an attempt to qualify for the 2025 Long Course World Championships.

The weekend kicks off with a festive “Jingle Jog 5K” on Friday evening with a start and finish at One Daytona. Participants, including those in jogging strollers, will experience Florida’s “Magic of Lights” display taking them under the iconic grandstands of the Daytona International Speedway. On Saturday and Sunday, athletes will take on a triathlon, duathlon, or aquabike. Cycling-only events such as Test Track, for those who want to simply enjoy riding the speedway will prelude the Redline Relay, a competitive team concept where the famed NASCAR garages are used for staging during the race. A complete event schedule can be found here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0620/9558/9575/files/CLASH_DAYTONA_2024-MASTER_SCHEDULE.xlsx_-_Forward_Facing_Schedule_2_032c3eaf-bd9b-45f4-8d31-97ec70c88a6e.pdf?v=1731433375

Numerous inspirational athletes will be lining up at CLASH Endurance Daytona including:

Brooke Bennett: A three-time Olympic gold medalist for the 800 and 400-meter freestyle swim, she’s known among the sport’s greatest distance swimmers boasting multiple titles, wins and accolades to include the cover of the Wheaties cereal box.

Chris Nikic: is a Guinness Book of World Records titleholder as the first person with Down Syndrome to finish an IRONMAN. He was also awarded two ESPYs and completed all six marathon majors. Nikic will compete in the Jingle Jog 5K and the middle-distance triathlon. Nikic will be joined by several other intellectually disabled athletes and their guides participating throughout CLASH Daytona weekend.

Bryan Elliott: Event Manager for Daytona International Speedway, Elliott will be competing in his first-ever triathlon this weekend to honor his brother Army CPT Alan Kurre Elliott who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while training last year. Bryan will ride his brother’s bike and his son, Jackson will also participate in the kids’ race.

Liz & Summer Lopez: An adaptive mother-daughter team who races to promote the importance of not texting and driving after Summer was significantly injured at the age of 18 years old while behind the wheel.

Scott Epting: An age group athlete who proposed to his girlfriend at the CLASH Daytona finish line in 2021!

Jesse Lishchuk: A Team USA Canoe/Kayak National Team member and 15+ Time National Champion. This race will be among his first since taking on the sport of triathlon this summer.

Chris Nikic says, “We are thankful to the CLASH Endurance Team and the invitation to participate – they’ve made us feel like family! My fellow athletes and I continue to prove that despite having an intellectual disability, any event is possible; from a sprint to a middle or long-distance race and/or marathon. I look forward to further promoting our mission of inclusion this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway.”

CLASH Endurance® is an innovative endurance event company led by athletes with a passion to provide exceptional race experiences at iconic speedways across the U.S. We embrace inclusion and welcome athletes of all ages and abilities, from elite professionals to first-time participants. CLASH Endurance continues to build upon the special community only found in the active lifestyle space; one that is driven; provides an outlet and adds positivity both mentally and physically. The popular CLASH Endurance DAYTONA is held at the Daytona International Speedway®, home of “The Great American Race™®”—the Daytona 500 and has been featured on NBC and Fox Sports 1. The Daytona 2 Beach Half Marathon and 5K takes thousands of athletes on a scenic tour of Daytona and its numerous communities and attractions each February. In addition, CLASH Endurance Miami takes place in March and continues to draw a decorated pro field and weekend warriors for a unique course at the Homestead-Miami Speedway®. The 2024 event weekend included the T100 Miami in addition to the Americas Triathlon Championship including Para and able-bodied athletes looking to claim their qualifying ticket to the Paris Olympics. For media inquiries, contact Blair LaHaye, blair@clash-usa.com, 727-808-0646.

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