Mallorca Ironman 70.3
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Official Results |
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This was an (unofficial) Harriers training week with Tony Parello, Simon Fisher, Mark Pryor, Geoff and Alison Cooper, Keith Gray, Gill and I. Majorca has become a mecca for cyclists and triathletes due to the quiet mostly well-surface roads and stunning routes up into the mountains. Bradley Wiggins and the Sky team have their training base there. Our host was the genial Nick Kinsey (MallorcaMan) a previous holder of the British Ironman record. In the days prior to the race we headed up into the mountains some cycling over 80 miles with total climb of around 800m and hairpin decents. The sea was at 18 C so not quite non-wetsuit yet. Plenty of great run routes along the coast and off-road trails around rocky headlands. The race itself starts in Alcudia and the swim heads straight out for about 1k before turning. Although calm there was quite a swell around the turn buoy. The cycle route is a real classic, on closed roads all the way. going along the coast to Port Pollensa then a long climb into the Tramuntana mountains (about 600m) before a hair-raising decent to the plains around Inca and Sa Pobla then back to Alcudia, skirting the S'Albufera nature reserve. The run was 3 laps around Alcudia. With 3200 competitors it was somewhat congested in places and the 'wave' starts meant you never knew where you were! Very well organised though and one worth considering if you want that big race feel but don't fancy the full-monty Ironman. |