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| Men's Category winners Desafio Doñana 2011 |
Triathlon races in Andalucia
There are actually about 30 triathlon events every year in Andalucia, which are held between February and November, including during the hot summer months. Desafio Doñana is the flagship event organised by the sports agency of the regional government. Others take place in locations in western and central Andalucian coastal areas, such as in Punta Umbria, Rota, Malaga, Chiclana and Estepona. Some triathlons are specifically for juniors. Triathlon Cross is a comptition with mountain bike secton instead of road bike section. Most events are coordinated by the organization Federation Andaluza de Triatlon. (www.triatlonandalucia.org)
There is one full distance triathlon event in Andalucia; the Iberman. It name is similar to 'Ironman' in that it refers to Ironman as a distance measure rather than an affiliation. The Ironman brand strictly refers to long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). There are about 15 Ironman's in Europe a year and perhaps three in Spain; Barcelona, Lanzerote, Mallorca. The Ironman's maintain the full distances set when the triathlon was re-introduced in Californina in the 1970's, consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run, raced in that order and without a break.
Olympic distance Triathlons comprise a 1.500m swim, a 40 km cycle and a 10km run. There are also Sprint Triathlons and Junior triathlons in many towns in Andalucia.
The 'Circuit Andalucia de Triathlon" features five or six events each year and the points awarded in each count towards the Andalucian title. There is also the Circuito Andaluz de Duatlón, Circuito Andaluz de Duatlón de Menores, Circuito Andaluz de Triatlón, Circuito Andaluz de Triatlón de Menores y Copa de Andalucía de Duatlón Cros.
Triathlons in Andalucia are coordinated by the organization Federation Andaluza de Triatlon. (www.triatlonandalucia.org)
Here is our selection of Andalucia's top Triathlons in the year. These races tend to keep to the same weekend each year, hence we leave past events on the page as a guide to next years date.
Marbella Ironman 70.3
27 October 2024
(Confirmed by the Town Hall
The inaugural Marbella Ironman 70.3 took place on Sunday 28th April 2018 and was won by David Mcnamee of UK in 3 hrs 57 min 56 sec. The second edition took place on Sunday 27th April 2019 and was won Andreas Dreitz of Germany in 3 hrs 58 min 57 seconds.
The race consists of a 1.900m swim at the Levante (eastern) beach of Puerto Banus, a first transition on the emblematic Avenida de Naciones Unidas. This is followed by a 90 km cycle up easter slope of the Sierra Blanca mountain through Puerto de Ojen (pass), then continues on passing white villages of Monda, Coin, reach Cartama and return by the same route back to Puerto Banus for the second transitions. The 21km half marathon run is twice out out and twice return along Marbella's seafront promenade from Puerto Banus to Trocadero Beach club at Rio Real.
The 70.3 is the Ironman brand for a half the distance of the full ironman race being 70.3 miles or 113 km. Worldwide there are about 40 full ironman races a year and about 100 half Ironman 70.3 races a year such as the Marbella event.
Marbella Ironman 2023
The 2023 edition was 7th May 2023 and was won by Nicholas Mann of Germany in a course record time of 3 hrs 56 min 25 sec.
Marbella Ironman 2022
The 2022 event was won by Chris De Keyser in 3 hrs 58 min 57 seconds.
Marbella Ironman 2020 and 2021
The third edition in 2020 was cancelled due to Covid. The 2021 edition was a reduced bike and run only event with few international athletes.
Marbella Ironman 2019
In the second Ironman Marbella in 2019 the winner was Andreas Dreitz (Germany) in just under four hours at 3:56:48, second was Alistair Brownlee (Great Britain) in 4:01:00, third Domenico Passuello (Italy) in 4:03:40. 2.047 competitors finished in under 8 hrs.
Marbella Ironman 2018
In the inaugural Ironman Marbella in 2018 the winner was David Mcnamee (Great Britain) in just under four hours at 3:57:46, second Chris Leiferman (USA) in 3:57:46, third Andreas Dreitz (Germany) in 3:58:41. 2.281 competitors finished in under 8 hrs.
Iberman Larga Distancia
Iberman Larga Distancia, Huelva & Portugal - Only full Ironman distance (3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42km run ) race in Andalucia. The international race starts with a swim in the sea at Ayamonte, cycle inland and into the Guadiana river valley crossing over into Portugal at the second bridge after Granado at Pomarao and returning to Villa Real on the coast for the transition T2. The running section crosses the impressive international suspension bridge of the A-22 / A-49 motorway back in to Huelva, Spain and the finish line is on the Paseo de España in Ayamonte. Was 19th October 2019.
Iberman larga Distancia Video
Long Distance Triathlons
Andalucía Desafío Doñana
The Andalucía Desafío Doñana (Andalucia Doñana Challenge) - Triathlon was inaugurated in 2009 as a premier sporting event to showcase some of the white villages of Cadiz and the Doñana National Park. A clearly successful event that has been held every year since, traditionally on the second Saturday in September. Since then Covid has been held on different Saturdays in October. It is a spectacular sporting event both for the competitors, their families and the spectators. The triathlon always starts in Sanlucar de Barrameda, unusually for a Triathlon with cycling first; a 100km cycle circuit, then a 1.4 km swim accross the River Guadalquivir estuary. The highlight of this annual triathlon event is the 30km run along the endless unspoilt beach of the Doñana National Park. This is a special test of endurance and, apart from the start and finish, there are no spectators to encourage the runners. More>
Triathlon de Sevilla - 14th May 2024
The XXIV edition will take place on 14th May 2024. There are three different categories: Olympic, Sprint and Super sprint. The Olympic category comprises a 1.5 km swim, a 39.05 km bike ride and a 9.6 km road running race. The departure zone will be located at C.E.A.R. on the Isla de la Cartuja and the arrival zone in the Nave del Parque del Alamillo.
Half Triathlon de Sevilla - 4th May 2024
On 4th May 2024, the XI edition of the Nutrisport Half Triathlon takes place in Sevilla.
Cabo de Gata Nijar Triathlon - 21st May 2024
More than 1.000 runners from all over the globe have completed this race which is one of the most spectacular locations in Andalucia, perhaps Spain. 1.9km swim, 80km cycle, 21km run. Swim in the bay at San Jose, Cycle to Agua Amarga and back, run inland on the ALP-822 passing famous beaches of Monsul and Genoveses up to the watchtower at the top of Vela Blanca. Dates vary was 20 Oct in 2019. 2024 Edition will take place on 21 May 2024 .
Cabo de Gata Nijar Video
Caminito del Rey, Ardales, El Burgo
This race is in its fourth edition on the 19 May 2019, and has been created to capitalise on the success of the Caminito de Rey footpath which was re-opened in 2015. The race is 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycle and 21 km run. The 1900m swim is in the Embalse de Guadalhorse in an inlet near the Mirador (near the start of Caminito del Rey) the swim requires turning around two buoys and returning to the start point. The first transition is in the parking of Zona 3 of Camping Parque Ardales. The 90k Cycle is via Ardales, El Burgo, turning round at Serrato and returning to Ardales for the second transition and 21km run around the town. This race has in effect replaced the 'Triathlon Medio Ironman el Chorro' which was in 7th edition in 2015. It was a half Ironman with 1900m swim, 90 km cycle and 21km run.
Triatlón Titan Sierra de Cádiz,
Algodonales. 2km swim, 90km cycle, 21km run, 135 competitors. 23rd Sept 2017. The 2018 edition was canceled and it is looking unlikely that 2019 edition will be held.
OLYMPIC distance Triathlons IN ANDALUCIA
DX2 Costa del Sol 1.5 km swim, 42km cycle, 5km run. This race now headlined as the DX2 INACUA Costa del Sol Triathlon has been for the previous 22 editioins the Torre del Mar Triathlon. 30th April 2017
XXX Triathlon Cuidad de Chiclana. . 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. 21st May 2017
II Triatlon de Los Pedroches. 1.5km swim, 37km cycle, 10km run. 3rd June 2017
XII Triatlon Cuidad de Almeria. 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. 4th June 2017
II Triatlon "Huelva Puerto de Descubrimiento" 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. 10th June 2017.
V Triatlon Arenas del Rey. Bermajales, Granada. 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. 18th June 2017.
II Triatlon Zahara de la Sierra 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run. Swim a three sided 500m triangle starting form near the dam. Cycle through Zahara over Puerto de las Palomas through Grazalema and returning by the lake. Run by the lake and finishing in the centre of Zahara. 24th June 2017
V Triatlon Trigranada Lecrin 1.5km swim, 37.5km cycle, 9km run. Swim in a triangle in Embalse de Beznar, cycle up the 7% climb up to Pinos del Valle and then climb up Albuñuelas and then Puerto de Cónchar making a total climb of 900m to Lecrin. Run down to the lake and follow a circuit that include a lakeside path finishing at Chite. 3rd September 2017
Triatlón Mar de Pulpí 2017 1.5km swim, 37.5km cycle and 10km run. Takes place on the sea front just west of the river Pulpi near the slightly inland Pulpi village in Almeria. Various races including sprints, and partners. Main event is the Olympic distance traithon. Event established and running since 2010. Date is 2nd september 2017.
OTHER TRIATHLONs
Triatlón GOTRI ciudad de Marbella - 14th May 2017
XII Triatlón Ciudad de Almería - 4th June 2017
VI Campeonato de España de Triatlón, Posadas (Cordoba) - 20th August 2017
XIII Triatlon Titan Sierra de Cadiz - 23rd September 2017
VI Triatlón Olímpico Cabo de Gata - Nijar - 22th October 2017
See also our page on Endurance Running and Cycling events in Andalucia