Challenge Malaysia is a tropical triathlon in Forest City, located on Malaysia’s southern coast near the Singapore border. The race utilizes warm sea water for the swim, with an average water temperature of 28°C and an average air temperature of 30°C, making pacing and heat management crucial from the outset. It provides multiple formats: Middle distance (1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, 21.1 km run), Standard distance (1.5 km swim, 45 km bike, 10 km run), Sprint distance (750 m swim, 30 km bike, 7 km run), and Junior Challenge options with reduced distances for younger participants.
The swim begins at the beach. The bike and run segments follow multi-lap courses, facilitating spectator viewing. The course is characterized as fast and flat within a protected environment, experiencing light average winds of approximately 8 kph. Forest City offers logistical benefits, being accessible by air or land, with accommodation options including hotels, a golf resort, and nearby apartments. The location accommodates families alongside athletes, featuring a clean beach and proximity to a children's water park or pool. A "Tri together" option is offered for the Middle and Standard distances, enabling teams or pairs to participate in the longer events.