Challenge Israman
Eilat, Israel · January · Challenge Family
Why people love it
- One of the oldest long-distance races in the Middle East, since 1999.
- Warm, clear Red Sea swim at about 22 °C (72 °F).
- Desert-mountain bike with Gulf and Arava Valley views and 3,000-3,766 m (9,840-12,360 ft) of climbing.
- Downhill run from the mountain-top T2, finishing on the Eilat promenade.
- January sun in a resort city with plentiful hotels.
Watch out for
- Climbing of 3,000-3,766 m (9,840-12,360 ft) plus strong wind makes for slow times.
- Cold mornings and plateau gusts: 7 °C (45 °F) and 72 km (44.7 mi)/h (45 mph) reported.
- Steep concrete downhill of about 10 km (6.2 mi) at the start of the run.
- Split transitions (beach and mountain top).
- Few age-group reviews; cutoffs and long-distance wetsuit rules not found on the official page.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.2
Press calls it one of the world's toughest, with passionate local support and a sunset promenade finish. Few age-group reviews. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
27 editions and smooth results coverage, but a split-transition format, sparse bike aid in 2010 and a serious crash report weigh it down. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding1.5
About 3,000-3,766 m (9,840-12,360 ft) of climbing, gusts to 72 km (44.7 mi)/h (45 mph), cold mornings and a pre-dawn mass swim make a poor first full. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.2
Winners take 8:47 to 9:55 and the fastest bike splits are 5:33 to 5:50 over 180 km (112 mi). The concrete descent run adds damage. · Medium confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.3
Repeatedly called one of the world's toughest long-course races: 3,000+ m (9,840+ ft) of climbing, wind, cold and a pounding descent. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.4
Water is about 22-23 °C (72-73 °F), under the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. Long-distance wetsuit rule unconfirmed; the 2026 middle distance was non-wetsuit. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureIdeal4.8
A constant 21-23 °C (70-73 °F) per the organiser, inside the 19-23 °C (66-73 °F) comfortable range. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.6
Mostly sheltered bay, with moderate surf from a southerly in 2010 and chop in 2014. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.6
Two laps of a 1.9 km (1.2 mi) triangle with little current, but a pre-dawn mass start and an exit between laps. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.3
Clear, warm Red Sea with visible coral, two laps of a 1.9 km (1.2 mi) triangle. The mass start is largely in the dark. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Public Route 12 highway. No specific complaints found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.4
Marshalled lanes and military presence, but closure extent is unconfirmed, and Israeli news reported a serious bike crash. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.5
Desert mountains, the Gulf of Eilat and the Arava Valley, with views toward three countries. · Medium confidence
- WindNotoriously windy1.4
The strongest recurring complaint: gusts up to about 72 km (44.7 mi)/h (45 mph) in 2018 and a headwind return in 2010. 2014 was nearly windless. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.2
3,000-3,766 m (9,840-12,360 ft) of gain, a roughly 12 km (7.5 mi) opening climb and persistent wind. Best bike split 5:33. · High confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.0
Official gain is 3,766 m (12,356 ft), with older reports near 3,000 m (9,840 ft), plus a 12 km (7.5 mi) opening climb. · High confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.4
Out-and-back highway with a steep opening climb and fast descents in crosswinds. One serious crash was reported. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.5
Promenade cafes and finish crowds, plus turnaround festivals. About 12,000 spectators reported overall. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.0
Little direct run-aid feedback. Bike water stops were few in 2010. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.0
Gulf of Eilat, marina and sunset over the Arava. The first 10 km (6.2 mi) is a concrete road descent. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsHard2.4
The steep concrete descent after the bike punishes the quads. Mild temperatures and a flat promenade second half offset it. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling2.8
Only about 255 m (837 ft) of gain, but a steep 10 km (6.2 mi) descent from T2 then a flat promenade. Net downhill. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.3
Typical air is 8-22 °C (46-72 °F). Mornings near 7 °C (45 °F) and plateau wind chill, then comfortable mid-day. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Dry desert, but years range from rain and gales (2013, 2018) to windless sunshine (2014). Mornings are near 7 °C (45 °F). · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.5
Red Sea resort backed by desert mountains. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.0
Spectators concentrate at the swim, promenade and finish. The bike is out on the desert plateau and T2 is on the mountain. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.2
Start and finish are at sea level. The bike plateau is about 800 m (2,625 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.4
Resort city with a large hotel inventory. Book early for late January. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.0
Israeli resort pricing in high season. No race-specific data. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.4
Registration and racking are across waterfront hotels within walking distance. T2 is on the mountain, so not everything is walkable. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.3
Ramon Airport is about 18 km (11 mi) from the centre. Most routes connect via Tel Aviv or Europe. · Low confidence
- LogisticsFiddly2.4
Split T1 (beach) and T2 (mountain top, roughly 600-800 m (1,970–2,620 ft) / 1,970-2,620 ft up) require shuttling. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Resort city with sidewalk cafes and Red Sea nightlife. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Eilat, Southern District, Israel
- Typical month
- January
- Latest or next date
- 29 January 2027
- Organiser
- Challenge Family
- Field size
- About 2,000 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $910
- First held
- 1999
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Red Sea, Royal Beach, Eilat (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 21–23 °C (70–73 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- mass
- Swim laps
- 2
- Bike climbing
- 3,766 m (12,360 ft)
- Key climbs
- Netafim climb out of Eilat (about 10-12 km, ~600-800 m)
- Run climbing
- 255 m (835 ft)
- Run shade
- Little; January temperatures are mild so shade matters less
- Air temperature
- 8–22 °C (46–72 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry desert climate
- Altitude
- 0 m (0 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Ramon Airport (ETM); also Eilat Airport/Ovda, 18 km (11 mi) away
- Where to stay
- North Beach hotel strip, Royal Beach / Isrotel area
- Booking
- Race organisation is based at the waterfront hotels (Royal Beach / Royal Garden area) within walking distance; book early for late January.
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch (John Hirsch)Raced 2017 · article · Positive
Reporter on-site describes warm clear Red Sea swim with coral, a ~11 km (7-mile) opening climb to a plateau, then a steep descent into a beachside run lined with cafe crowds. Wind and cold made the day harder for some pros, but athletes called the course epic.
“Epic. Epic.”
- Slowtwitch (Tim Carlson) - 2018Raced 2018 · article · Mixed
Cold morning near 7 °C (45 °F) with gusts to about 72 km (44.7 mi)/h (45 mph) on the upper bike course; one pro said he had never been so frightened on a bike. The first 10 km (6.2 mi) climbs over 610 m (2,000 ft) and the marathon is on hard concrete.
- Slowtwitch (Tim Carlson) - 2013Raced 2013 · article · Positive
Calls it one of the world's toughest triathlons: a pre-dawn dark swim start, ~3,000 m (9,840 ft) of climbing, nasty wind, and a steep downhill finish. Notes armed soldiers near the Egyptian border, strong local passion, and athletes helping each other.
- Slowtwitch (Tim Carlson) - 2014Raced 2014 · article · Mixed
Bright, sunny and almost windless in the long race after a cold, wet, windy 2013, showing how variable conditions are. The ride starts with a ~625 m (2,050 ft) climb; a 9:55 winning time and 5:38 fastest bike show how slow the course is.
- Slowtwitch (Tim Carlson) - 2022Raced 2022 · article · Mixed
Results-driven report: winners 9:52 and 12:05, fast bike 5:43, 52-minute swim leader. Confirms the hilly bike and slow overall times, but gives no weather or organization detail.
Show 6 more
- The CJN (David Shulman)Raced 2010 · article · Mixed
An age-grouper's first-person account of the 2010 edition: moderate Red Sea surf, an 800 m (2,625 ft) climb in the first 18 km (11 mi), strong southerly headwind on the return, and few water stops, with organisers resupplying by phone. Festive turnaround crowds and a sunset run finish.
- 220 Triathlon race reportblog · Mixed
Snippet-level (page blocked): a 12 km (7.5 mi) climb out of transition into the Negev, then ~78 km (48 mi) of rolling out-and-back terrain with no vegetation to break an incessant wind.
- 220 Triathlon pre-race report 2014Raced 2014 · blog · Positive
Snippet-level (page blocked): says registration and racking are split across waterfront hotels within walking distance of one another.
- Challenge Family 2026 race reportRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Official report on the 27th edition: Red Sea at 22.7 °C (72.9 °F), a 7:10 start, record middle-distance time and an 8:47 long-distance winner. Promotional and no complaints.
- Trip.com (Royal Beach Eilat guest ratings)hotel-review · Positive
Race-hub hotel (Royal Beach) rates 8.8/10 from 26 reviews, including location and service. Nearby U Magic Palace rates 9.3 on Momondo from 950 reviews.
- Israeli news (Ynet)article · Negative
News report that three athletes were injured in a bike fall during an Eilat triathlon, one seriously. Relevant to descent and wind risk; edition and cause not confirmed.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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