RAC E INSIDER
Jane Hansom has raced Gran Canaria three times and won her age-group. Here, she shares her top tips to tame this tricky course
Challenge Gran Canaria is the best race to kick-start the season. A super, warm-weather training destination, this is one race to consider arriving early for and doing a pre-race training camp. The climbs are fabulous and the flat sections hug the coast and snake though the canyon with breathtaking views.
The official race hotel sits directly above transition and everything is in walking distance. It’s the perfect race to bring the family to as the multi-lap course near the hotel means a lot of support on each lap from your supporters.
Challenge Family have spent time developing a global race series to rival the Ironman experience and this is one of the best in the series. Being an early-season race, it also attracts a stellar pro line-up, which has included Alistair Brownlee, Daniela Ryf and Lucy Charles.
The swim is a two-lap course with a beach start. These are great fun but can catch you out. Practise a few beach run starts the day before to judge the depth of the water and to know when to start swimming. See session 1.
Recce the bike course. It’s 3.5 laps so understand where the half lap is as it’s easy to get this wrong. There are speed gains to be had if you understand the course and know what line to take on the descents. Be sure to push a big gear on the climbs as there’s plenty of time to recover on the downhills.
See sessions 2 and 4.
It’s hot, so try to acclimatise. Eat and drink at every aid station, especially gearing up to the run. The run course is a multiple-lap stretch which snakes around transition. Steady eddy up that hill – you’ll do it no less than three times. Understand the area around transition well because if you’re in a sprint for the line you’ll have to know the distances. See sessions 3 and 5. Next month: Slateman on 18-19 May 2019.