Tenerife will host 13 high-level sports competitions in 2019. Hiking, cycling, trail running, windsurfing, surfing and a marathon are all among the activities to place the island on the international calendar of the most important sports events this year.
Las Americas Pro Tenerife – February 4-10, 2019
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2018/mqs/2608/las-americas-pro-tenerife
The WSL returns to the Canary Islands with Las Americas Pro Tenerife, a World Qualifying Series, better known as ‘Izquierda de Las Palmeras’ (Left Tenerife) in Spanish. This mythical event firmly positioned Las Americas on the world surf map more than 10 years ago and rescued its long tradition in organising WSL events.
Vuelta al Teide – March 30, 2019
Since last year’s edition, the race is recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and is part of the International World Cycling Tours. The main aim is to cycle around Teide non-stop in a single day, passing through some of the most spectacular landscapes and scenery on the island, such as the famous Teide National Park and Teno Rural Park. The main event consists of a 160km route that will cover a distance of 160km with 4000m of positive difference along roads commonly used by top-level professional cyclists, who come to Tenerife every year to prepare for events such as the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia. Cyclists can also opt for the Half Teide, which covers 90km and peaks at 2000m.
Tenerife Walking Festival – May 21-25, 2019
www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com
Tenerife Walking Festival is one of the most notable hiking events in Europe. A careful selection of the most spectacular routes on the island attracts hikers from all over Europe, who are ready and willing to participate in such a unique festival. The festival has a “zero footprint” commitment as one of its environmental objectives and sets measures in each event to reduce CO2 emissions. There’s also a range of original and recreational parallel activities (visits to museums, talks, tasting sessions of traditional food, etc.) that make the host of the event, Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island, the walking capital of Europe for a few days each year.
Tenerife Bluetrail – June 8, 2019
Tenerife Bluetrail is the highest trail race in Spain and the second in all of Europe. A race like no other in the world because of its route – it starts at sea level and climbs up to 3555m, meaning you have to bridge this gradient from level zero. The race will take you through part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teide National Park and the volcano. Runners cross the island from south to north, passing through different and varied microclimates from the temperate coast to the high mountains of Teide. Of the five different levels, the 102km Ultra is the most phyically and mentally demanding. Tenerife Bluetrail has been attracting around 10,000 runners each year since the first edition of the race.
Along with the race and during the days prior to it, there’s a busy Sports Fair at the International Trade Fair and Conference Centre in Santa Cruz, where runners pick up their numbers and visitors can shop for all types of sports equipment at interesting prices and enjoy exhibitions of different sports disciplines.
PWA Windsurf – First fortnight in August, 2019
This is one of the major events on the circuit. El Médano, in the south of the island, is a privileged spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, combining excellent trade winds and spectacular waves with a great mix of local, national and international surfers, as well as board building and repair workshops, training courses, a wide range of accommodation and restaurants, etc, make it a magnet for surfers to train all year round.
Santa Cruz Xtreme – October 2019
www.festivalsantacruzxtreme.com
Trail running is gaining more and more followers year after year, and Santa Cruz Xtreme is now one of the unmissable events on the calendar. This demanding run will push you to the limits as you run through Anaga Rural Park, which has been classified as a biosphere reserve by the United Nations. A magical space set between laurel forests, picturesque villages and dreamy cliffs and beaches that make Santa Cruz de Tenerife an essential destination for trail running experts and fans.
Santa Cruz International Marathon – November 10, 2019
Although now only in its sixth year, the Santa Cruz International Marathon is already one of the most outstanding events on the national and European circuit. Santa Cruz is a welcoming, cosmopolitan city with spring weather throughout the year. The route, which is never far from the sea, is almost entirely flat, making it perfect, for experts and novices to achieve their personal bests and experience the great sporting atmosphere that completely transforms the city.
Other major sports events
– XI Canarias Infinity Xtreme. Puerto de la Cruz. July 2019. www.canarypol.com
– El Médano Olympic Triathlon. El Médano. June 2019. www.trimedano.com
– K42 Anaga Marathon. Santa Cruz de Tenerife. December 2019. http://www.k42canarias.com/
– VII Vertical de Güímar. Güímar. July 2019. http://verticalguimar.blogspot.com/
