Triathletes who have competed in Ironman Lanzarote on occasion do not know what the Lanzarote event has and claim that it is addictive. There are many who repeat year after year, and they do so with the intention of improving their best marks. Carmelo Ruíz from Gran Canaria has participated in 18 of the 21 editions that have been held, managing to finish in 17 of them. The last one this Saturday when he crossed the finish line after more than eleven hours of competition.
Carmelo Ruíz Sánchez, a triathlete who belongs to the Lanzarote club Playa Grande, has become over the years one of the regulars in Ironman Lanzarote. His first participation in the toughest triathlon in the world dates back to 1994. This Gran Canarian was transferred to the island of Lanzarote for work reasons and it was in 1993 when he had the opportunity to enjoy his first Ironman Lanzarote as a spectator. He liked it so much that he did not hesitate to prepare to participate in the following year's edition.
On Saturday, Carmelo Ruíz faced his eighteenth Ironman with the same enthusiasm as the first day. The Gran Canarian triathlete crossed the finish line after investing a time of 11 hours, 32 minutes and 4 seconds. At 48 years of age, he completed his seventeenth Ironman Lanzarote, becoming the Canarian and Spanish triathlete who has completed the most tests of these characteristics.
His best time in Ironman Lanzarote was achieved in the 2010 edition, when he stopped the clock at 10 hours and 44 minutes. The worst memory he has is from the 2000 edition, when a contracture in his back forced him to abandon. The planning for that year contemplated participation in the Madrid Marathon, a test that was held on May 1, having 20 days to rest and face Ironman Lanzarote.
The following year he got rid of the thorn and not only finished the Lanzarote event, but also achieved qualification for the Ironman of Hawaii. Carmelo Ruíz attended the World Championship, becoming a "finisher" with a time of 10 hours and 50 minutes. Carmelo Ruíz is a born athlete, he not only practices triathlon, but he is also a regular at marathons and half marathons and mountain races.
