Peru Alfaro, professional triathlete and runner-up in the Lanzarote International Marathon 2019, talks to us about this great event that will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary on 3 December
Peru Alfaro visits the island two or three times a year to prepare for his sporting goals. In 2018, during one of his training camps, he was told about the Font Vella Lanzarote International Marathon and that same year he put on his race bib in the only 42.2 km race held on the island. Peru finished in a creditable fourth position in the final classification and the following year he repeated the experience, improving his record and crossing the finish line in second place.
Visiting Lanzarote is always very special for me, the island is almost my second home and I come here year after year, 2-3 times to train.
The Font Vella Lanzarote International Marathon has become the last challenge of the year for many professional and amateur athletes from all over Europe. With the island’s average temperature of 24ºC in December and a circuit with spectacular landscapes, this sporting event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great race with family and friends. In addition to the 42.2 km distance, two other races of 21 km and 10 km are also held on that day. The day before the big event, the organisation holds a 5 km charity race in which the only requirement is to dress up as Father Christmas to share a fun sporting, social day with children and adults.
The Lanzarote Marathon is a special marathon. It’s very hard and that’s what makes it so unique and beautiful. It’s a fight against yourself.
Peru Alfaro has very good memories of his two participations in the Font Vella Lanzarote International Marathon and for him “it is a special race on a unique island with wonderful landscapes throughout the course and a great atmosphere“. The triathlete tells us that to cross the finish line you have to be well prepared physically and mentally because “this marathon is a constant battle with yourself until the last stride“.
The 42.2 km race starts in Costa Teguise at 08:00h and the route takes participants to Puerto del Carmen via Arrecife (the island’s capital) and then back to the starting point. Peru’s advice is to manage your strength well during the race as you run the first 21 km with the wind behind you, but the second half is against the wind.
“You have to know how to hold your pace at all times and enjoy the event’s good vibes“. A great team of security staff and volunteers have the job of helping the participants with everything they need, and it is one of the aspects most highly valued by the runners.
Participating in this Marathon is a unique experience. Lanzarote is a spectacular place, a singular island.
The 30th Font Vella Lanzarote International Marathon will be held on the 3rd of December with the aim of surpassing the 2000 participants of the last edition. You can sign up at lanzaroteinternationalmarathon.com.
