Challenge Salou 2027
- Next eventย :ย 8 Sat โ May 9, 2027Date confirmed
- 1โkm / 2โkm / Triathlon M / Triathlon L
The event in a few words
In 1229, James I of Aragon weighed anchor in Salou to set out and conquer Majorca โ. Nearly eight centuries later, the triathletes of the Challenge Salou set off at dawn for a more modest conquest, that of a finish line ๐. This seaside resort on the Costa Daurada, in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia, hosts the event in early May. The air warms up quickly while the Mediterranean is still taking its time ๐. Expect generous spring afternoons, a cooler early morning and a capricious wind that likes to meddle with the bike leg ๐ .
The triathlon takes place by the sea: a swim in the Mediterranean (2 km on the T100 Distance, 1 km on the Short Distance) ๐, a road bike ride on loops to be repeated ๐ด, then a road run along the seafront ๐. The organizers announce a fast course with a view of the big blue, a strong selling point for time chasers. On the T100 Distance, the bike is made up of three laps of about 27 km, followed by an 18 km run completed in four laps of about 4.5 km, to the cheers of the crowd ๐ฅ. The elevation gain is not detailed at this stage: the profile reads as rolling, designed more for speed than for climbing.
The Challenge Salou is part of the Challenge Family circuit and offers three formats, solo or in a team: the T100 Distance, its relay, and the Short Distance (1 km, 54 km, 9 km), presented as the most popular ๐ฅ. The rules are no joke when it comes to drafting, which is penalized with cards and stops in the penalty box ๐ฆ. Spots for The Championship are also at stake ๐. For families, Saturday evening belongs to the youngest, with a 1 km kids' race of 1 km and a 2 km family race ๐.
After the effort, head to the Passeig Jaume I, Salou's seafront promenade, where the Font Lluminosa, designed by Carles Buรฏgas, the father of Montjuรฏc's magic fountain, performs its ballets of water and light โฒ. The beaches of Llevant and Ponent welcome tired legs ๐๏ธ, while nearby Tarragona displays its Roman amphitheater facing the sea ๐ฐ. Then head to Cambrils, the neighboring fishing port, for seafood that erases the kilometers ๐ค and a romesco, that sauce of รฑora peppers and almonds that accompanies fish and grilled dishes ๐ฅ.
A few kilometers of seafront later, no need to look for the exit, just a plate of romesco: in Salou, the finish is meant to be savored ๐ด.
6 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
Triathlon MTOP
Triathlon L
2โkm
1โkm
- Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 9:30 AM
- Swimming1โkm
- Road Cycling54โkm
- Road Running9โkm
A few more words
The Short Distance opens with a 1 km swim in the Mediterranean ๐ฅฝ, with wetsuit use depending on the water temperature recorded the day before. The road bike leg follows, covering 54 km, or two laps of a circuit of about 27 km, on a fast course where the coastal wind has its say ๐ฌ๏ธ. The 9 km run is completed in two laps of about 4.5 km, on roads along the seafront, with spectators along the way ๐. The elevation gain is still to be confirmed, but the profile, designed for speed, leaves little room for excuses for those chasing a personal best. The finish takes place in Salou, right by the water ๐.
- Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 7:35 AM
- Swimming2โkm
- Road Cycling80โkm
- Road Running18โkm
A few more words
With a 2 km swim, an 80 km bike ride and an 18 km run, the T100 Distance unfolds one hundred kilometers in a postcard-perfect setting. The open-water swim kicks things off ๐ง, with the water temperature deciding the day before whether wetsuits are mandatory, optional or pointless. The road bike leg stretches over roughly three laps of a 27 km circuit, fast on paper, with wind that may make an appearance on the exposed sections ๐ and drafting banned, with a penalty box in store for offenders. Your legs then turn into pistons for the 18 km road run, four laps of roughly 4.5 km where each pass brings you closer to the finish line ๐. The elevation gain is not detailed at this stage, but the fast course announced by the organizers suggests a rolling profile.
- Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 8:50 AM
- Swimming2โkm
- Road Cycling80โkm
- Road Running18โkm
A few more words
The relay follows the same format as the T100 Distance, 2 km of swimming, 80 km of cycling and 18 km of road running, but splits it between teammates. The swimmer kicks things off in the Mediterranean ๐ , the cyclist then rides the three bike laps, and the runner finishes the four run laps with the crowd cheering them on ๐ฃ. The baton is handed over in the transition zone. The course, laps and elevation are identical to those of the T100 Distance ๐งข, and each relay member experiences their own part of the course: the water, the road or the seafront ๐.
2โkm : Family Run
Road Running- Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 6:31 PM
- 2โkm
A few more words
The day before the triathlon, the Salou seafront switches to mini-champions mode. The family run, the Family Run, stretches the stroll to 2 km ๐, enough to run as a tribe, from the youngest to the oldest. The start takes place in the late afternoon, when the light gilds the promenade and the next day's future finishers come to cheer on their loved ones ๐ง. The official website provides a parental authorization form for minors.
1โkm : Kids Race
Road Running- Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 6:30 PM
- 1โkm
A few more words
The day before the triathlon, the Salou seafront switches into mini-champion mode. The kids' race, the Kids Run, covers 1 km to let children discover the joy of running as a group ๐ฃ, with no clock weighing on little legs. The start takes place in the late afternoon, when the light gilds the promenade and the next day's future finishers come to cheer on their loved ones ๐ง. The official website provides a parental authorization form for minors.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
2027 info coming soon.
The starts take place in Salou, according to the following schedule:
Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 6:30 PM: 1 km kids' race;
Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 6:31 PM: 2 km family race;
Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 7:35 AM: T100 Distance;
Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 8:50 AM: T100 Distance Relay;
Sunday, May 9, 2027 at 9:30 AM: Short Distance.
The rules do not mention a medical certificate. Members of the Spanish triathlon federation (FETRI) present their license. Non-members take out a โฌ10 accident insurance at registration.
The rules do not specify a minimum age. Minors must present a parental authorization, which can be downloaded from the event's official website.
2027 info coming soon.
The rules set three cut-off times:
1h10 for the swim;
5h15 for the swim, first transition and bike combined;
7h30 for the entire event.
The organizers have not yet detailed the location of the aid stations: 2027 info coming soon. The rules specify that personal nutrition (gels, bars, etc.) is only allowed in the run aid station zone, handed over by a relative, friend or coach. On the bike, no individual assistance is permitted, apart from official technical support.
The rules require the following equipment:
the official event swim cap, the absence of which results in disqualification;
a trisuit, swimsuit or wetsuit covering the torso and abdomen, with bikinis prohibited;
a helmet fastened before taking the bike off the rack;
the bib visible at the back on the bike and at the front during the run;
the chip on the ankle throughout the event.
Earphones, phones and cameras are prohibited on the entire course, and attendance at the briefing is mandatory. Whether wetsuits are allowed is decided the day before the event depending on the water temperature.
The official swim cap is part of the race kit. 2027 info coming soon for the rest of the registration contents.
Salou is located on the Costa Daurada, in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia. The airports of Reus and Barcelona serve the region. 2027 info coming soon for precise directions to the starting location.
The organizers can be reached via the Contact page of the official website challenge-salou.com.
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