Triathlon and Ironman in the Balearics: where to train, where to race

Mallorca is a world destination for triathlon and cycling training, driven by the Ironman 70.3 Alcudia, which brings together more than 3,500 athletes from over 70 countries every year. Here is where to train and race, across every island of the archipelago.

The Ironman 70.3 Alcudia, the archipelago's reference race

The 15th edition is held on Saturday 9 May 2026: a 1.9 km swim in Alcudia bay, a 90 km bike leg, and a 21.1 km run. The organisers present it as the largest 70.3 event in Europe. Entries, which open as early as June the previous year, cost between 350 and 600 euros depending on when you book. Alcudia has established itself as a training hub thanks to its mild spring and autumn climate and its proximity to major European cities (around a 2-hour flight).

Which other triathlons are held in the Balearics?

Why does Mallorca draw so many pro cyclists?

Every year in late January and early February, the island hosts the Challenge Ciclista Mallorca (formerly the Vuelta a Mallorca), a series of five one-day professional classics, with WorldTour teams such as Movistar Team, EF Education-EasyPost and UAE Team Emirates. Many professional teams' winter training camps use the same roads, notably in the Serra de Tramuntana. Cycling tourism alone generates more than 200,000 visitors a season and an estimated economic impact of more than 300 million euros, concentrated in the low tourist season (October to April-May), a real de-seasonalising lever for the island.

What are the great cycling loops?

Sa Calobra, a legendary climb of around 10 km with sections at 12 percent gradient and 26 bends, remains the reference for experienced cyclists. The Cap de Formentor, around 20 km between Port de Pollenca and the lighthouse, offers a more gradual profile, accessible to most riders. Both can be combined into a demanding route through the Serra de Tramuntana.

Where can you train and join a club?

Palmarunners, in Palma, has run a full triathlon programme since 2013 (65 euros a month): pool swimming twice a week, bike outings, running at Parc Sa Riera, and open-water swimming on Sundays from June to September, with groups for beginners as well as experienced athletes. The Club Triatlon Palma is another way to join a local community. The regional federation, the FETRIB (Federacio de Triatlo de les Illes Balears), runs the competition calendar and manages licences, with a 5-euro supplement for a day licence if you are not already federated. Colonia Sant Jordi, in the south of Mallorca, is recognised as an open-water training hub, with distances ranging from 1.5 to 10 km.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to be an experienced athlete to enter the Ironman 70.3 Alcudia?

The race stays demanding (113 km in total), but it is open to any properly prepared triathlete, not reserved for professionals: more than 3,500 participants of every level line up each year.

Can you do triathlon in Menorca and Ibiza, not just Mallorca?

Yes, Menorca (Artiem Half Menorca Triathlon in Fornells) and Formentera (Triatlo Illa de Formentera) each hold their own race, even though Mallorca remains by far the most developed destination for training and competition.

To round out your bike preparation, our guide to cycling in the Balearics and our overview of water sports in the Balearics cover the other two triathlon disciplines.

Entry fees and dates change; check the official race sites before you sign up. Information verified in August 2026. The Daily Baleares is an AI-assisted publication with human review.