News Sports

26.2 miles is a long way. 42.2 km to be exact (I always think it sounds further in kilometres). So, running it all in one go, a marathon as this is more commonly known, is a challenge not to be sniffed at. On average a marathon runner takes 50,000 steps, burns 2600 calories, and produces up to 6 litres of sweat. That said, approximately 11,000,000 people take on a marathon challenge each year, and with an estimated 52% of those being first timers, it is safe to say there is an undeniable allure of 26.2. Now, as marathons make a cautious, but long-awaited return to the calendar, maybe you’ve decided 26.2 is your perfect next challenge. Maybe you took up running during lock-down and want a way to challenge yourself with you new hobby, or maybe you’ve always wanted to try a marathon, and now you want to combine the ultimate running challenge with your perfect post COVID getaway. Whatever your reasons for running, here’s our top tips of things to think about before taking on their first

For many people with a disability, travel and sport can come with challenges, whether that is not being able to move around locations freely or limited availability of specialist equipment. 25 year old Jack Poulton understands many of these challenges all too well. Jack has cerebral palsy of the lower limbs and is a wheelchair user. He also has a passion for sport. Jack has visited Club La Santa five times with The University of Bedfordshire, UK, as part of the Sports Studies BA annual field trip which includes being a Volunteer on the Volcano Triathlon. Jack, with Lucy Charles – Barclay at the Volcano Triathlon, Club La Santa Jack’s Club La Santa Story A few years ago, one of the academic tasks set by the Hotel Manager was to evaluate the resort for ‘possible change’ specific to one demographic group. Jack’s presentation was on accessibility for disabilities. Jack recommended changes that could really make a difference; a blue ramp by the leisure pool which he described as ‘not

Tucked away on the ruggedly beautiful, North West coast of Lanzarote, Club La Santa is the sporting paradise you might never have considered. But the truth is, it’s heaven for any fan of an active lifestyle. My name is Meg. Back in the June of 2019, before I even worked for Sports Tours International (where I am now the Content Editor), I was a keen runner, novice rider, and lapsed swimmer. Naturally, I was therefore looking to get into the mad world of triathlon. It was then that I embarked on my first ever journey to the much mythologised Club La Santa. A Playground for the Pros  Club La Santa is the worst kept secret in triathlon. From IRONMAN World Champion, Anne Haug to British golden girl of all things tri, Lucy Charles – Barclay, the resort is a playground to the pros. Week after week you can scroll through Instagram, drooling over photos of your favourite athletes training at world class facilities, in the Lanzarote sun. I had never thought that CLS ( Club La Santa) would

Mass participation events have been sorely missed over the last 18 months. As restrictions kicked in, and it became clear that it wasn’t safe to take part in events with thousands of fellow athletes, lock-down meant the community had to get creative. Several of the events you know and love moved to a virtual model. Events such as Haute Route Wattopia and the Virtual London Marathon meant that you could, to some extent avoid missing out. Many events were cancelled however, or at best postponed until deemed safe to host. Now, with the announcement that mass participation events are making a comeback, we’re sure they will return even stronger in 2022. Come Back Time  As restrictions lifted in the UK on July 19, a number of events were able to return within in the same week. With scientific research demonstrating that COVID-19 is less transmittable outdoors, the likes of This Mum Runs community, parkrun and ASICS London 10k are all able to make imminent safe returns, with addition meas

Mass participation events are back! It’s what we’ve been waiting for for months. It has been so great, over the past few weeks, to be back out, on the road, and at all the events we know, love, and have missed dearly. We also love hearing YOUR stories. Finding out about your adventures and achievements on Sports Tours International trips. A few weeks ago was the Mont Blanc Marathon. This iconic trail race, on one of the world’s most famous peaks, is always a highlight of out trail running calendar and it was great to be able to send runners off on this ‘once in a lifetime’ challenge once again this year.  Carolyn (pictured below, training her handstand) was one such client. Despite numerous challenges, detailed below, Carolyn was determined to be at the start line of the MBM this year. Although her race did not entirely go to plan, she still got to have her Mont Blanc adventure, raised vital money for charities close to her heart, and best of all documented her journey to share – we

“I don’t know what to say. Just being here is special enough. I didn’t think I’d get to come back to this race,” said Cavendish. “I thought I’d never come back to this race, honestly.” This was Mark Cavendish’s reaction on Tuesday 29th June, when he took his first stage victory at the Tour de France for four years. That was his 31st stage victory. In terms of Tour de France stage wins ‘The Manx Missile’ is now second only to the great Eddy Merckx (34 stages). Now, with a second win, on stage 6, from Tours to Châteauroux, it would appear that Cav is truly and indisputably back! 06/29/2021 – Tour de France 2021 – Stage 4 – Redon / Fougères (150.4 km) – Mark Cavendish (DECEUNINCK – QUICK – STEP) – With the green jersey – Photo Credit Aso/Charley Lopez Cavendish’s inclusion in the 2021 tour, following the sad news of Sam Bennett’s ongoing knee injury and his fairly public fall out with Patrick Lefevere, was probably as much of a surprise to the 36 year old Manx rider himself, as it w

Bolton and Lanzarote. Not necessarily two places you’d instantly connect. One is a volcanic island off the north coast of Africa, known for white washed villas, impressive, almost lunar landscapes, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, and clear blue waters, the other is a former mill town in the north west of England, set in a green and rolling landscape and known for at one time being one of the largest and most productive centres of cotton spinning in the world. However, this weekend, they will be united. On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July Club La Santa Lanzarote and the town of Bolton, will host two of the toughest triathlon races in Europe. Lanzarote Usually held in May, the Club la Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote is a bucket-list long distance race for triathletes world wide. Established in 1992, it is one of Europe’s longest standing long distance races. The unique, volcanic landscape, unforgiving hills, and punishing winds, are reminiscent of the World Championship course at Kailua Ko

The 108th edition of the Tour de France got underway on Saturday 26th June 2021. The Grand Depart, originally due to take place in Copenhagen, was transferred to Brest, in the coastal region of Brittany, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also took place slightly earlier in the year than usual, to avoid the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games. The Grand Depart will now take place from Copenhagen in 2022 . This will be the first time the tour has visited Denmark in its 117 year history. It will NOT be an event to miss! But, for now, back to 2021.  As ever, the roster, at the start of the 2021 tour was stacked! As well as defending champion Tadej Pogacar, two time winner of the Vuelta a Espana, and former Tour de France runner up, Primoz Roglic was looking in good form ahead of the tour, fresh from winning the points classification at the 2021 Paris – Nice. Team Ineos – Granadiers were also fielding a strong team, with Richard Carapaz, Richie Porte, and former yellow jersey