A FAIRY TALE IN NEW YORK – FINISHING 26 MILES WITH A PROPOSAL
THE WINNER OF OUR EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION WITH THE RUNNING CHANNEL IS SET TO CONQUER THE 2024 NEW YORK MARATHON!
HOW TO TRAIN FOR YOUR SPRING MARATHON DURING THE WINTER MONTHS: WITH OUR AMBASSADORS!
For most people who race, Sunday is not a day of rest. If you race regularly, no doubt you’ll have noticed this is the day of most major mass participation events. You’re probably used to DOMS on the office stairs on Monday, or using half your annual leave for travelling or recovery days. Here at Sports Tours, we want to offer you another way. Here’s 6 of our favourite events where you can do the race, get a rest, and still be ready to face the week on Monday!
Europe’s oldest and arguably among the toughest IRONMAN races in the world, the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote will celebrate its 29th Edition on 2021. Based at the triathlon heaven Club La Santa, this race is popular with the top athletes from around the world. 2013 IRONMAN World Champion Frederik van Lierde, and three time time runner up Lucy Charles- Barclay are among the most recent athletes to grace the podium. From the punishing climbs to the relentless winds, this is not a race to be toyed with. But the joy of crossing the line here is second to none. In Lanzarote, triathlon is not just a sport it’s a way of life!
The 2021 Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote takes place on Saturday 22nd May. This means you can race on Saturday, rest up at one of the many CLS pools on Sunday morning, and still be home in plenty of time to feel fresh for the week ahead.
Read more about the Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote and how CLS can change your life. 14 time IRONMAN Lanzarote finisher Chris Wild shared his thoughts with us here!
In it’s original form the 312 was designed to take the form of a lap around the island. This is one of Europe’s toughest cycling events; 312 kilometres in length, and featuring over 5000 m of climbs. The event quickly grew to be Mallorca’s biggest cycling event, and, since 2016, has been held on entirely closed roads. The new route is a veritable feast of climbs featuring some of the most iconic peaks of the Tramuntana range, such as the Puig Major, Col de sa Predissa and Col de Feminina. Former top pro cyclists, including Grand Tour winners Miguel Indurain and Stephen Roche have taken on the mammoth challenge. Why not see how you match up to your cycling heroes, on this epic course?
If you don’t feel quite ready to take on a full 312 km yet, there are also 225 km and 167 km challenges available. These still offer a great challenge and the chance to discover the beautiful cycling paradise of Mallorca. To find out about other great sell out European Cyclo Sportive and Gran Fondo events on offer for 2021, please see HERE.
The Medoc Marathon offers a truly unique race experience. This race is a celebration of all things the good life; good food, good wine, and the very best running. At this marathon fancy dress isn’t just for fun runners, it’s compulsory for all! The marathon itself doubles as an idyllic tour of the vineyards of Bordeau. The 23 ‘aid stations’ en route, offer an incredible selection of wines and cheeses (among other local delicacies – including oysters) which runners can enjoy as they continue their running journey. Each year the event has a different set theme (the 2021 theme is cinema). There are special prizes given to a number of athletes deemed the ‘best dressed’ and most upholding of the ‘Medoc Spirit’.
This quirky and popular event is always a sell out. Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the race took a virtual only format. With this race featuring on so many running bucket lists, and runners in search of a party atmosphere after the disappointment of 2020, we anticipate demand for the 2021 edition of this once in a lifetime event to be astronomical. Keep an eye on our notification list to avoid disappointment.
The Paris- Roubaix, also known as the Hell of the North, and the Queen of the Classics is one of the most iconic and historic events on the UCI calendar. The race has taken on almost legendary status in the 125 years since it was established, and both the pro race, and the accompanying granfondo, feature prominently on the bucket lists of most keen cycling fans.
Although the route was made famous by its rough terrain and the cobblestones (pavé) that feature prominently on the route; it is not the route itself that gave rise to the race’s most daunting nickname. The phrase ‘Hell of the North’ was coined back in 1919, when journalists travelled to the route to investigate how badly it had been devastated by the conflict of WW1.
As bike racing advanced in the 60’s and 70’s, the nature of road cycling changed. Road quality improved and the pavé, that had so characterized bicycle racing started to disappear. In an effort to retain the ‘spirit of the race’ the organisers then began to make a conscious effort to add as many quality cobbled sections to the race as possible. These days, Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix (friends of the Paris – Roubaix) spend around €15,000 annually repairing and restoring the cobbled sections of the route.
The cyclosportive the Paris – Roubaix challenge takes place on the Saturday before the pro race (on Sunday). This is your opportunity to be a part of cycling history. The Sportive passes over all the same significant cobbled sections as the pro race and there are 172 km, 145 km, or 70 km options to choose from, so something for every keen cyclist.
For cycling fans wanting to make the most of the action we also offer a range of exclusive VIP and Hospitality options, so that you can enjoy this blue ribbon pro race in style.
If a one day challenge just isn’t enough, we can also offer a wonderful range of 3 day cycling events. Brought to you by world leading, multi day cycling event organisers Haute Route, the 3 day Haute Route formulas give you the opportunity to enjoy unbeatable and challenging cycling, in a host of incredible locations across the world. With events in Brazil, Switzerland, Mexico, Oman, and of course France; everyone can find their perfect Haute Route Destination, for a short cycling break.
Haute Route Ventoux is our pick of the bunch for 2021. This event brings you 3 opportunities to conquer the Giant of Provence. Mont Ventoux is a peak that features on most cycling bucket lists. At Haute Route Ventoux you can test yourself against it 3 different ways. As with any 3 day Haute Route, the final day takes the form of an uphill time trial. A short, sharp, final test, before you head home, energized for the week ahead.
Founded in 1999; the Great Wall Marathon is the ‘Original Adventure Marathon’. The race offers a unique way to experience one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, located in the most unforgettable setting. The Great Wall Marathon is one of the most challenging races out there. The course features some 5164 steps, and includes some tricky technical segments; including the notorious steep descent on the infamous “Goat Track”. There are three distance options at the Great Wall Marathon, which are;
Full marathon – 42.195km/26.2mi
Half marathon – 21.1km/13.1mi
Fun Run – 8.5km/5.5mi – a non-competitive run also on the Great Wall.
There is therefore something on offer for everyone, regardless of preference or running experience level. As an official travel partner of the Great Wall Marathon, Sports Tours International are pleased to offer a variety of travel packages for the 2021 edition of the race. While our tours might not get you back for Monday on this one, we can offer you once in a lifetime excursions and experiences and a wide range of unforgettable tour extensions. The Great Wall Marathon is just one of our ever growing list of Adventure Marathons.
Find your next adventure with us!
Official tour partner for the biggest races on the planet