Press Notes

• The Ironman is one of the big events and fires the starting gun on a season full of sporting dates
• The reputation of the contests held consolidate the Canary Islands as one of the world’s first-rate sports tourism destinations
• The Canary Islands’ mild year-round climate and landscapes are the main attraction for organising the most demanding and singular competitions
• The Ironman, Transgrancanaria Bike and Tenerife Bluetrail are some of the most important events before the summer

The Canary Islands, 18 May 2017 – The toughest sporting contests in the world return to the natural settings of the Canary Islands to challenge the most disciplined of athletes to gauge their resistance and put their physical training to the test amongst beaches, volcanoes and huge cliffs. Some of the most important events that the archipelago will welcome before the summer include the Ironman, Transgrancanaria Bike and Cajamar Tenerife Bluetrail.

Ironman Lanzarote, 20 May

Considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world within the Ironman circuit, Lanzarote’s 26th edition this year will bring together more than 1,500 triathletes on the beach at Puerto del Carmen to compete for the 40 qualifying slots that will take them through to the World Championship in Hawaii. The challenge consists of swimming 3.8 kilometres at Playa Grande, cycling another 180.2 kilometres around the island against the trade winds and running a 42.2-kilometre marathon under the island sun with the Atlantic on the horizon.

Tenerife Walking Festival, 23-27 May

Walking through the wilderness of the Canary Islands is a magical, almost indescribable sensation. Numerous “real hikes that feel like fantasy” snake through it and act as natural circuits for outdoor activities, such as the Tenerife Walking Festival. This event invites walkers from all over the continent to come and enjoy a score of different routes on the island of Tenerife on alternate days, opening up protected nature areas with surprising biodiversity to hikers accompanied by a professional guide. The festival is also turning into a zero-footprint event due to its low environmental impact, which is offset by planting native species on the island.

Transgrancanaria Bike, 27-28 May

As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Gran Canaria presents unique volcanic landscapes and endemic flora, such as Canary Island pines, which create exceptional routes for organising sporting events in the middle of the wilderness. Transgrancanaria Bike, an international mountain bike competition that crosses the island from west to east in two stages is a good example of this. The contest takes in the island’s most emblematic places, paths and mountains such as Andén Verde, Tamadaba, Tirma, Artenara, the Tejeda summit, dams in the south of the island, the Ansite Fortress, the old town of Agüimes and the Arinaga mountain.

Cajamar Tenerife Bluetrail, 10 June

With the Teide volcano as its main challenge, Tenerife dares the most disciplined of mountain-racing athletes once again to cover the 3,550-metre climb up one of the volcano’s emblematic peaks. With five different types of entry for people with or without disabilities, the race uses the island’s wilderness as a telling test of the level and fitness of mountaineers and athletes. This event is considered by trail running experts as the toughest Ultra Trail contest in the Canary Islands and one of the most important in the national arena. Its “Ultra” status challenges participants to complete the 97 kilometres from “sea to sky” over all kinds of trails and volcanic cones, and it acts as a qualifier for the demanding Mont Blanc Ultra Trail (UTMB), considered the toughest mountain race in the world.

Wine Run Lanzarote, 17-18 June

The culture and idiosyncrasy of the Canary Islands give rise to unique events which combine the agricultural wealth of its volcanic landscapes with active tourism. This is the case of the Wine Run Lanzarote, an entertaining event that brings together sport and gastronomy. The winegrowing area of La Geria is the perfect setting for a unique race that combines walking and enotourism in a protected landscape in the heart of the islands, where some of the best Malvasía grapes in the world are grown. Although the event is aimed at sports, nature and sustainable tourism lovers, it is not just a race, but comes with a festival of traditional cuisine which throws food and wine into the mix of this date with nature.

About the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands is the place with The best climate in the world for enjoying exceptional holidays any time of the year. Seven different and unique islands, perfect for disconnecting from your daily routine, recharging your batteries and returning home feeling physically and mentally refreshed. The beaches, volcanic landscapes, lively and hospitable lifestyle and the possibility of choosing from all sorts of outdoor activities, as well as a wide range of quality accommodation and leisure activities, mean that the majority of visitors repeat the experience more than once.

About Promotur Turismo de Canarias

Promotur Turismo de Canarias, an entity attached to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Regional Government of the Canary Islands, oversees the promotion of the Canary Islands tourism brand. Created in 2005, the main goal of this public company is to study, promote and market the huge tourist offer the Canarian archipelago affords, in conjunction with the other institutions on the islands related to the tourist sector.

Press Contact:

brezo.rodriguez@porternovelli.es  // alberto.tapia@porternovelli.es

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