EST. 1973

ABOUT SPORTS TOURS INTERNATIONAL

These days Sports Tours International are well-known as the number one choice for travelling athletes, and sporting enthusiasts, in Europe. We are the go to for anyone who wants to take part in events across the world. As International Travel Partner of the 6 World Marathon Majors, and VIP tour operator of the 3 Grand Tours and 5 Monuments of Cycling, we cover a wide range of events. Leisure cyclists, and those looking for a more leisurely adventure holiday, are catered for by our Freewheel Holidays and Whereabouts brands. Through our partnership with the world’s number 1 training resort, Club La Santa in Lanzarote, those looking for a training or active holiday are also very well looked after.

If you were wondering where it all started, here is our story so far……………..

The story of Sports Tours International is a tale of visionaries. They paved the way for the rest of us, so now we can enjoy a wealth of opportunity in sports travel, warm weather training, leisure and competitive cycling, and sports tourism in general.

Sports Tours International founder, and Irishman, Vince Regan started organising his first trips to international marathons back in the 1970s.  He was an ex-international marathon runner himself, and could see the value in people travelling to far off places to participate in marathons. He timed it right as the running craze was starting to take hold.

When Vince started his travel business, back in 1973, one of his first trips was to the iconic New York Marathon. Vince really pioneered the concept of the International Travel Partner for events such as this.  Being a well known figure within the running community; Vince also became involved in the creation of the London Marathon and took responsibility for managing the London Marathon international runner programme. This is an honour Sports Tours International still holds to this day.

Club La Santa

Now offering 80 different sports, with over 40 expert instructors (the Green Team) to help you get the best out of your holiday, and activities for everyone whether they are 4 or 74, Club La Santa has built its stellar reputation, and become the world’s No. 1 sports and active holiday resort, attracting amateurs, enthusiasts and professionals alike.

These days more than 12.000 people travel to Club La Santa every year with Sports Tours International, and to this day, Sports Tours International is the exclusive UK and Ireland Agent for Club La Santa, Lanzarote, the world famous sports holiday resort.

The Running Bee Foundation

#BeeActiveBeeHealthyBeeHappy

Following the tragic loss of Mo Done, in July 2018, on December the 4th 2018, Sports Tours International launched a new charitable initiative in her memory. The Running Bee Foundation aims to  promote active and healthy lifestyles, and help in the ongoing fight against childhood obesity. Starting from 2019, all of the profits from Sports Tours International’s local running events will go to The Running Bee Foundation. These profits will be invested back into the communities where the events take place.

Ron Hill

Dr ‘Ron’ Hill MBE is a man who helped push the boundaries in marathon running. Not only was he the second man to break 2:10 in the marathon, but he also set world records at four other distances, winning gold medals for the marathon at the European Championships in 1969 and the Commonwealth Games in 1970.

However, to many, he was made famous as a clothing entrepreneur, with the well-recognised Ron Hill running attire, which can still be seen online and in many sports shops up and down the country. For us though, he was always a friend and one of our much-adored Sports Tours International Ambassadors, spreading the word on how fanatical about sport we really are, not to mention promoting many of our upcoming running events.

Although we sadly lost Ron in may 2021; he remains an icon and inspiration for runners the world over, and his huge impact on the sport can still be felt at several running events, including the Tour of Tameside (a Running Bee Foundation event) which hosts the aptly named Dr Ron Hill Hyde 7 Miler.  Ron endeavoured everyday to spread a positive message about the impact of sport, not just for individuals, but for the community as a whole, and that is something that we, and our foundation, are committed to continuing in his memory.

Where are we now?

Now Sports Tours International is one of Europe’s largest mass participation sports tour operators, taking thousands of participants and spectators to sporting events around the world, every year. Some of our most popular events include the TCS New York City Marathon, L’Etape du Tour and Le Tour de France. Over the years, Sports Tours has grown from its roots in running and has extended its wide range of sports travel products to include several of the world’s most popular and iconic cycling events and triathlon competitions;including becoming the only official Challenge Roth (the most popular triathlon in the world) Travel Partner for the UK and Europe. We also offer sports training camps  in  range of disciplines and bespoke corporate hospitality packages at a number of events.

We work very closely with Charities in the UK providing them with event entries and travel services to sports events across the world. In addition we are able to create bespoke sporting challenges to assist with their fundraising.

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