Many people, if not most, will know Lanzarote for it's laid-back life style and all year round climate. During the month of May however, don't be surprised to see athletes out and about training for the famous Ironman event.
Every year the island of Lanzarote plays host to a gruelling event, where 1500 athletes take part in a battle against endurance and personal mental strength with a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and 42.2km marathon to earn the privilege of being an Ironman Lanzarote Spain finisher.
As if that doesn't sound tough enough the island of Lanzarote is just 79 miles of the coast of Africa which brings average maximum temperatures of 24.2 degrees Celsius!
The event is a test of personal stamina, and attracts many athletes from around the world. Prize funds aren't to be snuffed at either with the winners receiving 8500 USD. Finishing in the top 60 also gives athletes the chance to qualify for the Ironman World Championship event in Hawaii. The Lanzarote event gives athletes the ideal conditions to test their metal in a climate that is not too dissimilar to that of Hawaii.
Registration for the event can be very difficult, with entries limited to just 1500 places. In fact, registration for both the 2009 and 2010 events were fully booked within 4 months of opening.
The event is really aimed at serious athletes and ideally preparation for the competition would involve a medical health check and investment in a personal trainer to help acclimatise and condition your body to the test ahead. Many athletes travel to Lanzarote to adjust to the conditions and will spend time on the island during the run up to the event.
The swim will take place at Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen, which is the main tourist resort on the island. The swim takes place around the bay just off the beach and involves two circuits of a designated course. The bike race is more than challenging, with a 180km circuit, battling against strong winds and over 2500m of climbing across the volcanic landscape of the island. The run takes place over a course the distance of 42.2km and is 3 laps of a designated course.
One of the beauties of taking part in this event is the stunning landscapes and beautiful sunsets, although I think I would rather be watching than taking part!
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