TRIATHLON VITORIA GASTEIZ
SET AMIDST SPAIN’S GORGEOUS WINE COUNTRY, TRIATHLON VITORIAGASTEIZ IS A LONG-DISTANCE RACE YOU’D HAPPILY GO AND WATCH. AND THERE’S PLENTY ON OFFER FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE WORLD OF IRON…
Triathlon Vitoria-Gasteiz celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016 and regularly draws thousands of European triathletes to northern Spain for its full- and half-iron races. And what a beauty it is, with picture postcard rolling hills, a medieval city centre marathon and some of the greatest food and (post-race, of course!) wine in the nation.
“The Vitoria-Gasteiz Triathlon is ideal for your first long-distance race,” says the hugelyexperienced British iron athlete Yvette Grice. “The swim takes place in the clean and beautiful Ullibarri-Gamboa lake outside the town; the bike is rolling with a good road surface and with wonderful views of the Alava Plains; while the run is where the race really comes to life, with three laps starting and finishing in the medieval quarter of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
“It can get pretty hot on the run but the support from the enthusiastic crowd will spur you on. There’s a very special feel to this race: the organisation and friendly atmosphere are top notch and all who enter are bound to have a great experience. I cannot rate this event highly enough.”
Along with the chance of hot racing conditions (the high temp in 2016 saw the DNF rate leap from 2015’s 9% to 18%), a potential issue for beginners is the 16hr cut-off time, which reduces the margin for error. You do get a rare, mini iron lie-in, though, with an 8am start…