This Endurance.biz article gives us the date of Coquimbo-La Serena's first participation in the Challenge Family race (the second Chilean participation in the event). It reads: "Challenge Coquimbo-La Serena in northern Chile is the latest addition to Challenge Family’s South American race calendar, with the inaugural event set to take place on September 3, 2023.
Becoming the second Challenge Family race in Chile, the new event joins Challenge Puerto Varas in the southern part of the country.
The latest event in northern Chile builds on a number of new event announcements, with newly confirmed races from Challenge Family in France, Colombia, Ecuador and Turkey.
A release from Challenge Family noted… ‘One of Chile’s top beach destinations, La Serena offers a wealth of attractions for visitors. It is Chile’s second oldest city after the capital, Santiago, and combines beautiful architecture with a long golden shoreline. However, it remains relatively unspoiled and still very much part of authentic Chile.’
“Chile welcomes Challenge Family for the second time next September,” said Race Director, Nicholas Pavez. “This time it will be in the north of the country where Chile’s first Nobel Prize winner, Gabriela Mistral, was born.
“The nearby Valle de Elqui is famous for its outstanding natural beauty and has the clearest skies in the Southern Hemishere making the perfect place for star gazing. The Challenge Coquimbo-La Serena course will take in the best of the area, allowing athletes to truly experience this beautiful part of the world.”
Jort Vlam, Challenge Family CEO, said “The addition of Challenge Coquimbo-La Serena brings the number of South American Challenge Family races to six, with the longest-running, Challenge Florianópolis in Brazil, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023.
“We’re delighted to work with our team in Chile to add another race and know the combination of the destination and stunning course will be sure to attract athletes from throughout the region and further afield.”
Challenge Coquimbo-La Serena’s single lap 1.9km swim takes place in Coquimbo Bay before heading out for the 90km bike on the main highway along the Pacific Ocean coastline before turning inland to discover the interior valleys of the region.
The 21km multi-lap run will head along the seafront to the Monumental Lighthouse, overlooked by the Third Millennium Cross." (
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Note: In September 2023, the South American Challenge Family race will take place for the first time in northern Chile. Our photos show the monumental La Serena Lighthouse and the famous Cruz del Tercer Milenio (Cross of the Third Millennium) in Coquimbo, both on the way to the race. The coordinates are those of the lighthouse.