May is a major month for sport on Lanzarote. As the island plays host to two unique endurance events in the form of the Iron Man on May 24th and Las Tres Islas on May 31st. Here we preview Lanzarote´s biggest ever Iron Man. With 1200 plus competititors battling it out for the chance to qualify for the Grand Final in Hawaii.
Iron Man 2008
The 17th annual Lanzarote Iron Man takes place on May 24th . And this year’s event is bigger than ever, with over 1200 triathletes battling it out for the top prizes.
With a purse of 50,000 dollars up for grabs, as well as sixty qualifying slots for the premier Iron Man event in Hawaii the competition in this incredible endurance event is expected to be as fierce as ever.
Outline Event Timetable
07:00 Swim 3.8km
07:45 First triathlete finishes 3,8 km swim
Cycle 180km
12:45 First triathlete finishes 180 km bike course
Run 42.2km
15.35 Estimated first finisher, Puerto del Carmen, finish line
17:30 Bike course closed
24:00 Run course closed
Time Limits
Swim 2hrs 20min
Swim – bike 10hrs 30min
Swim – bike – run 17hrs 00min
The race starts at 07.00 am and closes officially at 12.00 pm.
How Many Make It?
The Iron Man is such a grueling event that many competitors never make it to the finish line.
Last year, for example, out of a total field of 1040 triathletes 80 failed to complete the course.
Where To Watch
The bulk of spectators congregate in Puerto del Carmen, where competitors in various stages of exhaustion battle to complete the marathon event along the coastal strip in Avenida de las Playas. View map of Puerto del Carmen.
The sea swim starts just off the beach at Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen.
The cycling course winds it’s way through the bulk of the island, from Timanfaya in the south up to the Mirador del Rio in the north. The route takes in most villages and towns, and locals and tourists alike often line the route to lend their encouragement.
If you plan to follow the event by hire car be aware that many roads are closed, albeit temporarily, to ensure a clear courses for the athletes.
And if you’re more of an armchair spectator than you can follow all the action on the day on the Iron Man Lanzarote website.
Facts and Figures
The Iron Man competitors will drink around 30,000 litres water and eat 9,000 bananas between them during the course of the event.
Athletes can only take refreshment at officially designated stations. They can be disqualified for accepting drinks, food or any other offers of help from the public.
Competitors have to carry all of their kit with them and have to change at designated points for each discipline. Anyone caught changing their swimming gear outside the official tent, for example, risks disqualification.
38 different nationalities are represented in this years field.
Nearly 300 local police are deployed to control traffic and ensure the smooth running of the event. They are supported by 430 marshals, five fire crews and three helicopters.
The event is split into different categories by age and gender.
Prize money is split between the top ten finishers in both male and female categories. With the top placed male and female triathelete picking up $8500 each. Whilst those finishing in tenth position take home $500.
Last Years Winner
Last years best time was recorded by the Spanish triathelete Eneko Llanos Buerguera who completed the course in 8 hrs, 49 minutes and 39 seconds. Some ten minutes ahead of the rest of the pack.
The best performing Brit was Steven Lloyd – who finished in sixteenth place with a time of 9 hours, 46 minutes and 32 seconds.
