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Tempted to add an island getaway to Ibiza T100 to your race schedule? Writer and long-distance triathlete Jenny Lucas-Hill takes a look at what you can expect from racing the 100km in this party town meets cultural hotspot.
T100 brings the triathlon party to Ibiza! Swim in the temperate water of the Med, take in the stunning scenery of this beautiful Balearic island on the bike and run towards finish line glory with cheering crowds and stunning views helping you to go beyond your expectations. Fast, but demanding – racing the 100km in Ibiza offers up an exciting challenge for all experience levels.
Race weekend will see the world’s best elites go head to head as they continue to battle it out on the T100 Triathlon World Tour for the chance to become World Champion. And for those who aren’t all about the swim-bike-run, there’s also an open water race to kickstart an epic weekend of sporting action.
Go for the race, stay for the blissful Mediterranean sunshine. Ibiza T100 might just be the ultimate way to finish off your summer triathlon season.
Location - Surprisingly serene Mediterranean charm
Ibiza might have earned itself a hedonistic reputation as Europe’s ultimate party destination. But away from the vibrant nightlife of San Antonio, you’ll also discover a surprisingly serene Mediterranean vibe.
In Ibiza Old Town (known locally as Dalt Vita), winding UNESCO-listed cobbled streets are home to charming restaurants and boutiques. Monasteries, cathedrals and museums tell a tale of Ibiza’s history. Head towards the shoreline and white sandy beaches make way for crystal clear waters, almost guaranteed to be alluringly warm even in late September. And the island also offers up plenty of hiking trails and intriguing natural architecture.
The T100 age-group race starts with a swim off the shores of Figueretas beach, before heading out across the width of the island on the bike and running through the historic Old Town. Whether you’re looking for a post-race party or a few days of rest and relaxation, this sun-kissed Spanish island has all the makings of the perfect race-cation destination.
Why race... Ibiza T100
Push your limits over the 100km distance: the ultimate endurance challenge that’s got many of the best names in both short and long course hyped up and ready to race. Be part of the T100 triathlon party. Then enjoy some well-earned recovery, relaxing on the beach. Ibiza T100 is the perfect end of season getaway to make the most of your full summer of training.
Course - Find your groove
The course at Ibiza T100 is challenging, but fun. Demanding enough to test your limits, but with plenty of opportunities to pick up the pace and get into a groove. If you’ve raced the 100km distance before – Ibiza is packed with PB potential. After a stunning start to your day in the warm waters of the Mediterranean sea off Figueretas Beach, you’ll get to explore the width of the island on the bike before winding through the Old Town and finishing up by the Marina on the run.
Swim - 2km
Race day starts with a 2km sea swim in the warm Mediterranean waters that lap the shoreline of Figueratas Beach. The course will take you on a single clockwise loop around an off-shore island before you head back to the beach ready to hit T1. Figueretas Beach is well-protected, meaning conditions should be favourable, but it's always worth practicing some sea swimming to get used to any surf or swell. The average water temperature can get up to around 25 degrees Celsius, so be prepared for the possibility of a non-wetsuit swim.
BIke - 80km
Feel the warmth of the sun on your back as you head out of T1, away from the beach and out onto roads of Ibiza island. The 3-lap bike course takes you across the width of the island out towards Santa Eulalia City. You'll start with a 2.3km 'link' between transition and the course, followed by 3 x 25km and another 2.3km link to take you back into transition. The beauty of a lapped course is that you're never short on support or atmosphere to keep your motivation sky high. Get into the groove and get the legs pumping as you take on the rolling climbs and fast descents.
Run - 18km
Soak up the sun and the race day atmosphere as you head out onto the run course, winding through the streets of the stunning Old Town, past the historic Castell de Eivissa and finishing up in the Marina. You'll start with a 2.6km 'link' to take you from transition to the main run course, before taking on 3 x 5.1km fast, flat laps. With the world's best PROs racing over the same weekend, expect the course to be lined with spectators cheering you on as you tick off the miles.
Race training & prep
While the beach at Figueretas sets the stage for a fairly sheltered swim, it’s worth practicing your sea swimming because there’ll inevitably be some swell and currents to contend with. Get used to sighting through the waves and breathing to both sides so you can adapt to the conditions on race day.
Heading out on the bike, you’ll encounter a bit of climbing so build up that hill strength to keep the pace pumping. The heat is likely to set in by the time you hit the run course, so make the most of the summer months to get some heat training in and practice your hydration strategy for hot weather racing.
Travel & accommodation
Getting to Ibiza is easy, with the island’s airport served by plenty of air routes. Once you’ve arrived, an extensive bus network makes getting around without a car fuss free. But if you want to make the most of your time and explore the island far and wide, getting a rental car might be worth your while.
As a popular holiday destination, Ibiza has an abundance of options when it comes to accommodation. For a stress-free race morning, take a look at hotels in the Platja de ses Figueretas area. You’ll be able to stroll down to T1, and post-race you’ll be in a prime location for kicking back on the beach.
Spectators - Sun-soaked support crew
One of the many benefits of racing in a Mediterranean paradise is that it probably won’t take much persuading to get a support crew together. An island getaway with almost-guaranteed sunshine and the opportunity to watch the PROs battle it out makes Ibiza T100 one of the most spectator-friendly races going. Your support crew can even dip their toe into the T100 world, with an open water swim race taking place at the start of the weekend.
Spectators can watch the swim action unfold from the sheltered sandy beach of the popular Figueretas seaside resort. As you zoom off on the bike, they’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants with fresh Mediterranean menus to keep them busy while you tick off the miles. With the run course heading into the Old Town and along the marina, there’ll be ample opportunity for your support crew to cheer you on before you celebrate together at the finish line.
Race-cation - Culture, history and natural wonders
As far as post-race celebrations go, you’re probably not going to find a livelier destination than Europe’s number one party island. But if the clubbing scene isn’t your vibe, rest assured there’s plenty to do in Ibiza beyond its infamous nightlife.
For a taste of authentic culture, head to the Ibiza Old Town. With origins in the 16th-century, Dalt Vita, as the old town is known, is enclosed by a hexagon-shaped wall. Pass through the Portal de ses Taules – an impressive arched gate in the city walls and you’ll be greeted by winding, cobblestoned streets and the main square filled with restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. Follow these meandering streets upwards and you’ll find yourself at the Cathedral of Santa María de las Nieves. From here you’ll enjoy incredible views of the harbour.
Ibiza is rife with interesting natural architecture, nature reserves and secluded beaches away from the main tourist spots. Head to Ses Salinas National Park where you’ll find everything from pine forest to rolling sand dunes – a prime location for spotting flamingos. Visit Sa Pedrera de Cala d’Hort to explore natural swimming pools, carved out of a former quarry which has created a network of sandstone caves and pools, ideal for snorkelling. Once you’ve seen them up close, take a boat trip to see these impressive rock formations from afar – time it right and you’ll also get to experience an incredible sunset view of Ibiza.
Talking of views, if your post-race legs have got the fire power then a hike up to Sa Talaiassa, Ibiza’s highest mountain is well worth the effort. The 2.5km long trail will afford you with a quiet haven and panoramic views of the entire island. The ultimate way to get a fresh perspective on Ibiza.
After a busy day of exploring, head back into town to find a lively Tapas bar. Or to the beachfront where you can enjoy fresh seafood and other Mediterranean cuisine as you watch the sun start to set.
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