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Two hundred expected at this weekend's II Annual Triatló Illa de Formentera

triatlon2 180914On the heels of a great deal of anticipation, details were finally announced today regarding the II Triatló Illa de Formentera. Councillor of the local administration's office of sports, Sergio Jiménez, met with Manuel Hernández, a representative of the company - Unisport Consulting - overseeing organisation and Sol Méndez, from event sponsor Trasmapi's marketing department, to talk specifics.

Sergio Jiménez summarised the object of the triathlon simply: “Making sure Formentera stays on the map with regard to national triathlons” and recasting and outdoing the standards set by last year's event. Some of the updated features to which Jiménez referred: a longer bike circuit that will reduce the number of laps athletes must make (“to make the competition more fun”) and a change to the footrace circuit.

Last year's foot trial took runners through Es Camí des Brolls, but this year, explained Jiménez, “the circuit will lead from Es Pujols to Punta Prima.” The change means that vehicle access to Illetes beach will be cut off from 3 to 6:30 pm. During this time, provisional use of Es Cami de sa Guia (extending from Sa Sequi Restaurant to the Illetes lifeguard tower) will be given to beachgoers.

The II Annual Island of Formentera Triathlon offers participants a choice among three different modules: a duathlon beginning at 12 noon on 20 September that consists in swimming and running circuits; the 'Sprint' module, which calls for a 750 m swim trial, a 20 km cycling trial and a 5 km footrace; and the 'Olympic' module, composed of a 1.5 km swim, a 40 km cycling trial and a 10 km footrace.

Manuel Hernández explained that as of today's date 170 individuals had registered for some part of the triathlon, but that the event could accommodate more – 200 in total. Though still not at the limit, the current figures are nevertheless an improvement upon last year's, when organisers boasted 150 participants. According to the Unisport Consulting representative, “The main difference between this trial and the half marathon is that for now accommodation occupancy rates are still relatively high. For non-residents, finding lodging is more complicated and more expensive now than in May, when the half marathon is held and the tourist season is just barely underway.” Hernández continued: “[The current high tourist occupancy] is a factor that – though positive for the island in general – is a hurdle for the triathlon.”