Image: Sergio Betancort
Ironman Lanzarote, which for many is considered the toughest triathlon in the world, has not yet found its ceiling in terms of the number of participants. Once again, all participation records have been broken and on May 18, more than 1,800 triathletes will take part in the event. On the starting line, 37 professionals and 45 nationalities are represented, with Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany being the countries that contribute the largest number of participants. Without a doubt, a unique event that every year awakens the interest of thousands of athletes and places Lanzarote at the epicenter of world sport.
On Wednesday morning, the twenty-second edition of the Ironman Lanzarote Canarias Triathlon was presented. The press conference held at the Cabildo de Lanzarote was attended by the Director of Club La Santa, Niels Feerup, the Sports Director of Ironman Lanzarote, Kenneth Gasque, accompanied by the president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Pedro San Ginés, and the Minister of Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Migdalia Machín.
The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Pedro San Ginés, recalled that Ironman Lanzarote is "the flagship of what is today a promotional commitment by Lanzarote to sports tourism" and added that it is "the main sports reference". The Minister of Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Migdalia Machín, had words of gratitude for the work carried out by the volunteers, who in this edition exceed one thousand. A selfless work that makes it possible for Ironman Lanzarote to take place without any problems, helping the triathletes at all times.
The Director of Club La Santa, Niels Feerup, detailed the figures for the twenty-second edition of Ironman Lanzarote and recalled that "it is the most important triathlon in Spain". Ironman Lanzarote will have 1,800 participants in this edition, who will represent 45 different nationalities. Estimates indicate that more than 6,000 people, including triathletes, family members, friends or coaches, will travel to Lanzarote to enjoy one of the toughest triathlons in the world. These figures represent a great injection into Lanzarote's battered economy in these times of crisis.
Kenneth Gasque, Sports Director of Ironman Lanzarote and "father" of this sporting event, explained that the 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike ride and 42.2-kilometer run have hardly undergone any variations compared to previous editions. Gasque recalled that Ironman Lanzarote has 40 places at stake for the Ironman in Hawaii and that they will be distributed among the top finishers in the different age groups.
The marriage formed by Stephen and Bella Bayliss starts as a great favorite for the final victory. The Bayliss have been preparing for this event in Lanzarote for several months and know each corner of the route perfectly. Among the professional triathletes of Spanish nationality, the presence of Álvaro Velázquez, Miquel Blanchart, Peru Alfaro or Saleta Castro stands out. And the great Canarian hopes are focused on David Rodríguez, a triathlete who a few weeks ago played a good role in the TRI 122 Teguise Lanzarote Triathlon.
On the starting line of Ironman Lanzarote will be Gordon Wayne Haller, who in 1978 was the first winner of an Ironman in Hawaii. On that occasion he completed the course in 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds, and there were only fifteen brave people who participated in the event. At 62 years of age, his challenge is to finish the Ironman Lanzarote. Also noteworthy is the participation of the German Faris Al-Sultan, a triathlete who won his first Ironman as a professional in Lanzarore, returning to the island of Los Volcanes in search of new sensations.
Behind each name and each bib number there is a different story. Triathletes who have the personal challenge of crossing the finish line of the toughest Ironman in the world, athletes who compete for a social cause and at the same time raise funds for charities or cancer charities. Dreams that are fulfilled as the triathletes cross the finish line. Behind them are months of hard training, in which they have had to sacrifice family, friends and leisure time.
The event will be on May 18. At 07:00 Playa Grande (Puerto del Carmen) hosts the start of Ironman Lanzarote, with the entry into the water of the triathletes being one of the most beautiful images. Ahead, 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling through emblematic places such as Los Hervideros, Timanfaya or the Mirador del Río, and ending with a 42.2 kilometer run that will take place mainly on the maritime avenue of Puerto del Carmen.
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