Participant figures for the Barcelona Triathlon are truly impressive: in recent competitions over 6,000 athletes registered to take part each year making it one of the most highly attended triathlon events in the world.

It’s also one of the most open and all types of athlete can compete with just one condition: they must be over 15 years old. This welcoming approach is undoubtedly one of the keys to creating the wonderful festival-like atmosphere among those who have the courage to participate in the Barcelona Triathlon by Santander.

And yet its open-to-all nature certainly doesn’t lessen the excitement of the competition in the least. In fact, professional runners consider it to be one of the toughest and most hard-fought contests in the international calendar. It’s definitely one of the biggest sporting events to take place in the Catalan capital each year.

The Barcelona Triathlon: some history

The current Barcelona Triathlon by Santander was created in 2016 when two triathlons that had been held in the Catalan capital for several years were merged together: the Barcelona Triathlon and the La Vila Triathlon. The latter event had been held 12 times previously.

 

 

The Barcelona Triathlon by Santander is one of the largest triathlons held in Europe and throughout the world.

In its current guise the event is held on a Sunday morning, roughly between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. However, in reality it all kicks off on the Saturday before in the area where the race is held: the seafront promenade between the Port Olímpic and the Fòrum. By Saturday the area is already buzzing with an enthusiastic sports vibe generated by the many participants who come to check out the different routes.

Routes in the Barcelona Triathlon

One of the biggest attractions of the Barcelona Triathlon by Santander is that a good part of its three routes have views of the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the swimming race takes place in the sea at Nova Mar Bella beach. The cycling circuit (10 km per lap) is held parallel to the coast and passes through the park next to the Fòrum and Port Olímpic.

Below are details of each route by category:

  • Supersprint: This category covers the shortest distance. The swimming race is 350 m (one lap of the sea circuit), the running race is 2.5 km (one lap of the running route); and the already mentioned cycling race is one 10-km lap of the cycling circuit.
  • Sprint: The swimming race in this category is 750 m. The running race is one lap of a 5-km circuit and the cycling race is two laps of the cycling circuit (20 km in total).
  • Olympic: The category for amateur sportspeople. The swimming race is 1.500 m, while the running race is 10 km and the cycling race involves four laps of the 10-km circuit: 40 km.

Race formats

There are four ways to compete in the Barcelona Triathlon depending on the specialism and physical fitness of each sportsperson. You can participate in the following ways:

  • Individual: The classic way of taking part in a triathlon. One participant completes the three races (swimming, cycling and running).
  • Relay: The teams are formed of three members, each one of which competes in the discipline he or she specialises in. The three team members reach the finish line at the same time. Two-person teams can also take part and in these races one of the two competitors must compete in two of the disciplines.
  • Relay on demand: Perfect for competitors who want to do one of the races but aren’t part of a team. The event organisers create the three-member or two-member teams.
  • Pairs: Two participants complete the competition together from start to finish. Check points verify that the pair are participating together to prevent them from being disqualified.

Triexpo and bib collection

The Barcelona Triathlon by Santander takes place on a Sunday. On the Saturday before, participants must confirm their registration and collect their race number bib. When they register they are also given stickers for their helmet, bicycle and bag storage, a swimming hat, timing chip and wristband, plus various gifts from the event’s sponsors.

Registration takes place at the Moll de la Marina, next to the Casino de Barcelona. The Triexpo stands are also set up here and this fair is a great opportunity for competitors in the Barcelona Triathlon by Santander, and all fans of this discipline in general, to buy the latest sports equipment for swimming, running and cycling.

Check-in for the sports event and the fair selling sports equipment are both open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the Saturday.