Sports Tours International is excited to announce that we have been appointed the Official UK & Ireland Travel & Entry Partner for the ELCHE TRIATHLON.  It is a half iron distance triathlon which will take place on Sunday 22nd April 2012 featuring a 1.9km sea swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run based around the beautiful palm tree lined sea front area at Arenales del Sol, situated between Alicante and Elche.

Easily accessible with several cheap flights providers from the UK to Alicante, the Elche Triathlon makes an ideal start to the race calendar for anyone looking to start their middle / long distance season off with a bang. The Elche Triathlon would also be a perfect preparation race for anyone getting ready for a Full Ironman race in May, June or July.

It is an excellently organised event and each year is growing in stature and one of the best triathlons in Spain.

The event is a well established middle distance race in the Spanish race calendar and is now in it's 8th year with over 1000 participants taking on the course last year. In 2012 the race organisers hope to attract around 1200 people from all over Spain and from abroad as the race continues to grow. Taking place in and around the beautiful town of Elche the race starts from the Playa des Arenales with a sea swim followed by a fast bike course around the region followed by a run along the beautiful palm lines avenues along the beach front. 

Elche is a city of 235.000 people, south of Alicante, and 60km away from Benidorm. It boats 9 kms of beautiful golden sandy beaches. It also has three wetlands featuring interesting birds in its municipality. The city is also very proud of two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You can find out more about the 2012 Elche Triathlon by visiting the Elche Triathlon website.

You can watch the Elche Triathlon here http://vimeo.com/4959598

EVENT SCHEDULE  (Please note that this is provisional and is to be confirmed by the race organisers).

Friday 20/04/12:

12h00: Official Opening of the 7th Triatlón de Elche, Ayuntamiento de Elche, Plaza de Baix. 

Saturday 21/04/12:

12h00-14h00 y 16h00-19h00: Collection of race numbers and body marking, Edificio Altabix, Universidad Miquel Hernández 

12h00-14h00 y 16h00-19h00: Feria del corredor, Edificio Altabix, Universidad Miguel Hernández 

19h00: Technical Meeting, Edificio Altabix, Universidad Miquel Hernández 

20h00: Pasta Party, Cafetería Edificio Altabix, Universidad Miquel Hernández 

Sunday 22/04/12:

6h00-7h00: Collection of race numbers and body marking  Arenales del Sol 

7h00: Transition area opens, Arenales 

9h00: Female Individual Race Start

9h10: Male Individual Race Start (wave starts every 5 mins depending on age group)

11h50: Leaders arrive at T2 after bike

13h30: First Finishers

13h45: T2 closes

16h00: Race control closer, presentation of trophies and race closes

RACE ENTRY

Because this is not an M dot or Challenge event, entry prices are very reasonable.

Sports Tours International are the Official UK entry partner to the Elche Triathlon.   

ELCHE TRIATHLON TRAVEL PACKAGE

Our package for the Elche Triathlon includes the following:

* Return Airport Transfers for you and your bike from Alicante Airport on Fri 20th April and back to Alicante airport on Monday 23rd April.

* 3 Nights B&B accommodation including an early breakfast race day  

* Staying in the quality 4* Hotel Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Elche and close to the start / finish of the Elche Triathlon.  This is also the official race hotel.

* Bike Racking & Race day transfers (10-15min drive to the race start).

* Special registration for Sports Tours' customers, you will have your registration bag & race numbers etc waiting for you at the hotel.

* Experienced Sports Tours International personnel over the event weekend with excellent local knowledge and Spanish speaker.

* Optional Saturday morning reconaissance (short swim & run).

* Option of guaranteed race entry (additional cost).

Entry Prices and Timings Elche Triathlon 2012

£110 without British Licence/£100 with British Licence.   Any triathletes that do not have a BTF (or equivalent) race licence for 2012 must pay an additional £10.

PRICE (Prices per Person and DO NOT INCLUDE FLIGHTS OR ENTRY)

£199 based on two people sharing a twin room.  REDUCED TO £179 PER PERSON AS PART OF OUR JANUARY SALE IF YOU BOOK BEFORE TUESDAY 24th JANUARY.

£349 for sole occupancy.

Make the ELCHE TRIATHLON your Tri Club's annual Club trip. Book 20 places together and get one free.

HOW TO BOOK

Click on the green button at the top of the page.

At time of booking we require a non-refundable deposit as above. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at the latest, 12 weeks before departure to avoid the cancellation of your trip.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Visas are not required to enter Spain. You need a passport or a National Identity Card (see the website of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS)) to enter Spain. As a British passport holder or National Identity Card holder you may stay as a visitor for three months. For links to important websites, click here.

For details of insurance for the our travel packages, please visit our travel insurance page

There is additional information about our other Concierge Services on our special web page.