With only three weeks to go until the Torre del Mar Triathlon 2018 (also known as the Costa del Sol Triathlon) a few of us from the local triathlon club CD Axarlon decided to meet up and complete the course as a group. The race has three distances, Sprint, Olympic and Half and on the day, there will be over 800 triathletes competing.
All three distances do not permit drafting, so many will be using tri bikes or clip on aero bars
It was decided a few days prior to the meet up that we would cover the Olympic distance, however due to the low sea temperature we would start on the bike, go onto the run and then finish with a swim for those that wanted. Below is a description of the race
For the last two years The Olympic swim has been two 750metre loops. After the first loop you have to go onto the beach, around a marker and then back into the sea. The sea temperature is usually 18-20 degrees, however today it was 14 degrees.
The Olympic bike route consists of two loops on the coastal road from Torre del Mar towards Benajarafe. The road runs parallel to the Meditereanan and is reasonably flat. The first thing you notice on the way out of Torre del Mar is the Iconic Osbourne Bull on the hillside, from there it’s a flat road towards Benajarafe. After 8k there is a sharp right turn towards the village of Cajiz. From this point the climbing starts, it’s not a big climb, it fact is only 2k but it takes a lot from the legs! I have done this race a couple of times and its on this hill that some start to struggle and there is always lots of overtaking. When at the top of the hill, you make a 180 degree turn usually around a cone that is manned by a group of officials and make a 50 k/ph descent back down to the coast road. When you arrive back at the coast road, you turn right towards Benajarfe for 500 metres make a 180 degree turn on the roundabout then head 10K back to Torre del Mar on the same coastal road. Then repeat!
I think its fair to say that not many Triathlons have a bike leg quite as stunning as this one. If you a looking to rent a bike in Torre del Mar for the race or rent a bike in Almunecar for the Sprint Triathlon there the week before please get in touch as we have a selection of Carbon Racing Bikes available.
The run segment of the race is along the promenade (Paseo Maritimo) in Torre del Mar. For the Olympic Distance it is two loops. I am not entirely sure why but the distance is 10.7k Again like the bike leg, it’s a stunning location surrounded by lots of bars and restaurants. A good race for the families as there is plenty to do and see.
The race times are staggered which means there is racing going until early afternoon.
The half distance starts at 8am, The Olympic at 9am and the Sprint at 11.30am
For more info google: dx2 torre del mar 2018
