Lanzarote Marathon 2024

"Ponerse las pilas"! You're likely to hear this phrase if you choose to participate in the Lanzarote Marathon held in Spain 🇪🇸, amidst the stunning backdrop of the Canary Islands🐤. The translation is pretty straightforward: "put the batteries in" and step it up a notch! 🔋 Wondering why they tell you that? Well, it's because you'll probably be distracted by the breathtaking scenery unfolding before your eyes! Located on the island of Lanzarote, the easternmost of the 7 Canary Islands, the 32nd edition of the Font Vella Lanzarote International Marathon offers you 3 races, including one that is wheelchair accessible 🙌. So lace up your sneakers because we're taking you to run on volcanic rock 🌋 and the magma that covers this breathtaking island! 😮

A little backstory: the island of Lanzarote, nicknamed "the island of 1000 volcanoes", is home to the Timanfaya, located right in the middle of an immense natural park that carries its name 🌋. And that's not the only way the volcano has left its mark on the history of the Canaries ! 🐥 In 1730, the volcano erupted and spewed a colossal amount of lava for over 6 years. Covering three-quarters of the island with magma, the volcano dramatically transformed the landscape by spreading dry lava, ash, and volcanic rocks to all corners 🔥. The result is a stunning scenery where barren land, desert, sandy beaches, underground cavities, cacti, lush vegetation, vineyards, and volcanic craters blend together 🤩. So if you want to recharge once the race euphoria has settled, you can always enjoy the silence and lunar ambiance 🌝 of this island still spared from mass tourism. This restrained tourism allows the inhabitants of Charco del Palo to be themselves... in their naturist village 🫣. No judgment here! 😆 We'd do the same given the island's optimal weather conditions (19° in December 😎)!

Designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO 🌍, Lanzarote offers rich and wild fauna and flora. It is especially known for being a prime birdwatching site and for its numerous cacti and other endemic species 🕊. If you're a cactus lover 🌵, you can always visit the garden that houses over 1,400 species (but watch where you step 😅). Besides that, you can explore the many palm groves 🌴 on the island as well as its unique vineyards 🍇. Indeed, growing on the dried lava of the La Geria valley, the vines offer a singular scenery and flavor to their wine, La Malvoisie, one of the best in the Canary Islands. So don't hesitate to grab a bottle while basking under the Spanish sun 🍷😎.

The seaside 🌊 is where you'll be running! The route runs along the coastlines of the island's 4 municipalities: Costa Teguise, Arrecife, San Bartholomé, and Puerto del Carmen, showcasing the Spanish coast's beautiful beaches 😍 (over 26 km of beaches on this island alone! 😮), azure waters, sunshine 🌞, caves, and cliffs carved during the Timanfaya eruption. Whether on foot or in a wheelchair (only for the half marathon), the asphalt will be all yours as it has been privatized for the event. You'll be able to fully enjoy the spectacular view 👁️ of the Telamon shipwreck 🚢 that has stood in the middle of the bay for 40 years, as well as planes passing ✈️ just a few dozen meters overhead 🙄. Indeed, Lanzarote Airport, located at the end of the race track, will allow you to observe the constant ballet of planes... A unique and atypical race, don't you think? 😬

You can also admire some of the 300 craters 🤯 present on the island after your race, including one that goes down more than 100 meters deep 👇. Watch out! ⚠️ While kids will love it, they must be kept in check since the temperatures get very, very, very high 🥵 (but don't worry, experienced guides will tell you everything you need to know). Some have even managed to harness these heat geysers, like the famous restaurant "El Diablo" which grills its dishes over a volcanic chimney. Tempting, isn't it? Especially if you've been dreaming of a barbecue during Christmas season! 🍢🎅 And in the same vein, to make the most of the region's "cold" season, you can always go for a catamaran ride or do some scuba diving🤿, snorkeling, biking, or surfing 🏄 to prepare for the IronMan planned for the following year 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️.

Finally, you'll discover that the cultural 📖 and historical heritage of Lanzarote is not lacking! You will get to know César Manrique, the most popular local ⭐️. This painter 🧑‍🎨, sculptor, and architect managed to enhance the island's image with his daring and visionary works, such as the Mirador del Rio and his foundation 🙌. An oasis that combines nature, art, history, sports, culture, oenology, and gastronomy in a region preserved from it all...

What more could you ask for? Oh yes, go check out some photos, it's totally worth it 😏.