Over the years, Gran Canaria has become a veritable mecca for athletes across the planet who want to make use of its incredible landscape, beautiful year-round weather and its brilliant hospitality, amenities and mod cons. This has been aided by one of the world’s top athletic associations, Gran Canaria Tri, Bike & Run, which has helped to put this naturally attractive athletic destination on the international map.
No matter whether you’re a trail runner, a cyclist, a swimmer or a triathlete, the 23-degree temperature average and stunning volcanic setting provide a natural gym and playground, with 142 miles of roads considered of interest for cycling, 146 miles of coastline for swimming, 158 miles of attractive federation-approved trails, and training grounds for elite athletes, with varying altitudes the promise to upgrade your VO2 Max.
Cruising on royal roads, climbing mountains and navigating ravines, training in top facilities, recovering in world-class spa facilities, swimming in warm Atlantic waters… they’re all on the menu in Gran Canaria. Let’s go.
Anfi del Mar in Gran Canaria
Designed for sports
Let’s talk about those hotels. For the discerning athlete who doesn’t mind being a bit pampered, you can do no better than Seaside Palm Beach and Seaside Sandy Beach.
Seaside Sandy Beach
Perched on the ocean, they’re perfect for a post-workout dip. Looking to strike the perfect balance between hard work and relaxation? Look no further than Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel and Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel, which boast incredible facilities for both training and recovery. If you’d rather have the whole place to yourself, the vacation homes of the Resort Cordial Santa Águeda offer private swimming pools, solariums and enough space for the entire family.
The One Luxury Apartments
Alternatively, The One Luxury Apartments can fit up to 16 members of a sports team in one place, otherwise the Cordial Mogán Valle Apartments are a great bet. Barring that, make a visit to the stunning Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa.
Resort Cordial Santa Agueda
For a beautiful setting, the Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa is nestled among the otherworldly Maspalomas Dunes. For the avid cyclists, the Hotel Suites & Villas by Dunas offers its own cycling centre, gym and a circuit of swimming pools. Finally, if you're after a grand hotel with some of the best services for triathletes in the world, make sure to stop off at Anfi del Mar.
Anfi Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria
Race ready
You’ve put in the work, now it’s time to give it your all. Why not do it in Gran Canaria, which offers some of the most esteemed races on the planet, from some of the top event organisers, including Move Run, DG Eventos, Entrenar.pro and Challenge Canarias. Cycling stars from all over the world flock to the archipelago for races like the EPIC Gran Canaria, the Gran Fondo Pico de Las Nieves, Gran Canaria Bike Week – La Cicloturista, Free Motion Desafío la Titánica and Salobre Volcanic Bike.
Cyclists from all over the world flock to Gran Canaria
It’s a paradise for runners as well, whether that’s for trail events such as Beyond the Coast Sky Tour Gran Canaria, road marathons such as Maspalomas Marathon or more eclectic races such as the Salobre Golf&Run. Or if you prefer to do both, with a side of swimming to boot, there are incredible triathlons such as the Anfi Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria and SwimRun Maspalomas. It’s very much a case of choosing your poison. Don't have your own equipment, or too much of a hassle to pack it with you? Don't worry! There are plenty of places to rent, such as Free Motion Bikecenter.
Beyond the Coast Sky Tour Gran Canaria
Dial in your health
Athleticism goes hand in glove with health, and on Gran Canaria you’ll find the very best sports medicine practitioners, hospitals and therapists, to ensure that you’re recovery goes as quickly as it can. The network of Hospitales Universitarios San Roque has two centers, in the capital and one on the southern side of the island, so you can rest easy that you’re in good hands no matter where you’re pushing yourself. Staff have experience in medical treatments of teams and elite athletes, the latest technology, a 24-hour trauma service and teams with experience in sports medicine.
Find out more at @gctribikerun, Facebook and grancanariatribikerun.com
