Challenge Gran Canaria 2026

Challenge Gran Canaria takes place in April, and is usually the first race for myself and a number of the team to dust off the winter cobwebs and test the winters training block, alongside gaining the benefits of some warm dry training and vitamin D! Last year was also the first time all of our kids joined us on the start line (and partners!) which was absolutely amazing. Whilst myself, Annie, Katherine, Adam, Matt, Jack, George and Eric took on the longer distance, Fin, Max, Noah and Zara tackled the standard, well a long standard with the same swim as us, 45km ride and 12km run. It really was quite special starting the swim with Zara and Annie next to me, and as I exited out on the bike, Fin, and Annie were chatting / jogging along to T1 after swimming the course together! (I missed Noah sprinting past them). Then due to the nature of the course, (4 there and back laps) meant that there was always someone to spot out on the course, and it was a great chance to see how the standard race between the boys was going!. As always I enjoyed my cat and mouse chase with Jack throughout the bike, and briefly saw Matt as he speedily ran past me on the numerous run laps. On the standard distance Fin pipped max on the fastest bike split, but Noah was not far behind, and stormed the run. A great performance for his first ever triathlon finishing 3rd overall in his age group, with Fin not far behind. It was also Zara’s first triathlon and I do not think I saw her without a smile on her face, and again performed brilliantly on a challenging course. As for the rest of us, Matt had to ride on a hire bike that didn’t fit (long story) but despite that flew around the run course, and solid performances all round for the team, with Annie and myself finishing on the podium. This year its a rematch in the standard with Ade adding himself into the mix, and myself, Annie, Matt Jack, Eric, taking on the longer one again. Anyone else fancy joining us? Its a great early season race, and rarely fills up :)