Club La Santa, Lanzarote, Spain May 23, 2026
Source: https://www.ironman.com/races/im-lanzarote
The Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote 2026—celebrating its 34th edition—is legendary for being one of the most physically demanding full-distance triathlons in the world due to strong trade winds, intense sun, and heavy volcanic elevation.
📅 Event Overview
- Race Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Location: Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain)
- Start Time: 7:00 AM (Rolling Start)
- Time Cut-off: 17 hours (Race wraps up around midnight)
- World Championship Slots: 100 qualifying places for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
🏃♂️ The 3 Disciplines & Race Program
The race officially kicks off bright and early on Saturday morning, featuring a staggered rolling start to ease athlete entry into the water.
🏊♂️ 1. Swim Segment — 3.8 km (2.36 miles)
- Time: Starts at 7:00 AM
- Location: Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen.
- The Course: Two laps in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The water temperature sits around 20°C (68°F), and while the water is crystal clear, athletes must navigate the ocean swells and currents.
🚴♂️ 2. Bike Segment — 180.2 km (112 miles)
- Location: Stretches across the entire island.
- The Course: This is the defining and most brutal part of the Lanzarote experience. It features a staggering 2,500+ meters of elevation gain, taking cyclists through the stark black lava fields of Timanfaya National Park up to the northern heights of the island via the steep Tabayesco climb and Mirador del Río. The intense Canary Island trade winds add an extra layer of difficulty on these open roads.
🏃♀️ 3. Run Segment (Marathon) — 42.195 km (26.2 miles)
- Time: First runners generally transition to the run around 2:00 PM.
- Location: Coastal promenade of Puerto del Carmen.
- The Course: Three laps along the seafront between Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. With afternoon temperatures reaching up to 28°C (82°F) under direct sunlight, it is a true test of mental and physical grit. The crowd forms a massive human corridor along the Avenida de las Playas, creating an electric atmosphere that keeps roaring until the final finishers cross the line at midnight.
🗺️ Key Spectator Spots
If you are planning to watch or support an athlete, the best locations include:
- Playa Grande (7:00 AM): For the massive and cinematic swim start.
- Mirador del Río / Tabayesco: To see the cyclists tackle the toughest volcanic switchbacks.
- Avenida de las Playas (From 2:00 PM onward): The epic finish line area where the energy remains high well past dusk.
