Praia da Luz Triathlon

Posted by PORTUGALPRESS on May 02, 2014

Thrills and spills at the Praia da Luz Triathlon


It was a truly perfect day. Organisers couldn’t have wished for better weather to welcome the first Praia da Luz Triathlon, an event that brought smiles to hundreds of faces and raised much-needed funds for a hard-working charity.

But more than a local affair, the triathlon was a groundbreaker. It signalled the beginning of a brave new dawn in Algarve tourism.

No longer is the west simply a perfect venue for “sun and pleasure seekers, families and singles, any age group, from the very old to the very young” – it is now firmly on the map of all those who love sporting holidays.

Delighted organisers explain: “This was first and foremost an event designed to get the people of Luz together. Initially, we were thinking only of residents – but as the winning time came from a German man out here on holiday, it’s quite clear that this is something set to grow.

“Triathlon events will definitely attract people from all over Europe, and that means very good news for local businesses in the off-season.”

The event – backed by Luz Ocean Club and conceived by sporting friends and business buddies John Hill and Tom Longhurst – brought competitors from all over the Algarve and many different nationalities.

Embraced by the Portuguese Triathlon Federation, it even attracted former national champion Fernando Damas, 60, who swam, ran and cycled the sprint circuits like a pro – coming in 6th position behind fellow compatriots, Brits and of course the winning German holidaymaker Matthias Kindel – another veteran, who travels Europe taking part in competitions here, there and everywhere.

A clip on Youtube sees him launching into the sea in Nice in an event that saw him come in second, but the Luz competition saw a personal best of one hour, seven minutes and 57 seconds for the entire course: a 750 metre swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.

As ‘athletes’ congratulated and commiserated with each other over their times (available on the Portuguese federation website – www.federacao-triatlo.pt), all were comfortably aware that this wasn’t the real purpose of the day.

“The purpose was always to do something positive for Luz,” explained Ocean Club manager John Hill. “And quite honestly, we’re still getting over the incredible emotion of it all.

“People had such a great time! People were so thankful. We have already got plans for more events, and this will definitely stay now as an annual fixture.”

The next triathlon planned will be at nearby west Algarve resort, Martinhal, near Sagres.

In fact Martinhal’s co-founder Roman Stern seems to have changed the habits of a lifetime to take on the triathlon challenge.

“After almost 20 years of no sports, I decided to engage a personal trainer last December and had two lessons a week in preparation for the Luz Triathlon,” he told us. “It was a real struggle, but also great fun.”

John Hill and partner Tom Longhurst tell us that they already have 10 people signed up for the next event, taking place in Martinhal on October 26.

“It has been wonderful,” they told us, still counting the money raised for long-standing local charity NECI – a centre for the physically and mentally challenged.

NECI founder Eduarda Sousa was also delighted. “The whole thing has been overwhelming and we’re all just incredibly, fantastically grateful,” she enthused.

Indeed NECI had another surprise last week. A bequest came through from former resident Rona Dale, who left the charity €63,664.29 in her will.

“It has been a wonderful week,” said Eduarda – and this Friday (May 4) NECI will finally be opening its residential home, after almost 20 years of fundraising and hard work.

But for more news of the coming triathlons, watch this space. We will bring it as it happens!

The Algarve Resident newspaper proudly supported the Praia da Luz Triathlon.


http://portugalresident.com/thrills-and-spills-at-the-praia-da-luz-triathlon

Thank you Max.

Thanks, Max - at least that one was free of nasty remarks from ex-pats.