Absolute success in the XIV edition of the Aritzaleku Triathlon

With historical record, 475 participants disputed some of the two tests held at the Alloz Reservoir.

Once again the Alloz Reservoir and its surroundings welcomed the Triathlon Aritzaleku, that from 2015 bets on two short distances: sprint and olympic. This year, moreover, with the novelty of offering several tickets for the Spanish Triathlon Championship in Olympic distance, to be held in September in Banyoles.

The first test took place at the 9 on Saturday morning, when the Olympic race started with 12 places in play for the Banyoles event. Thanks to this, several triathletes coming from different parts of Spain wanted to finish in a disputed Top 10.

On a cloudy morning without precipitation, two triathletes from the Galician Inforhouse Arcade, Alberto Castiñeira and Ignacio González, two of the big favorites, took the lead. Persecuted by a group of six triathletes, three of them joined Gonzalez and Castiñeira in the final stretch of the bike, the five of them together taking down the last 10 km.

In the race on foot, Ignacio González he imposed his quality to escape from his rivals and take the victory with 2h 05 '. Second arrived Alberto Castiñeira with 2h 06 'and a few seconds later I did it Ignacio Muller (Aranguren Valley).

In females, from the first meters Nuria Rodríguez (Saltoki Trikideak) and Ibone Sánchez (CT Diablillos de Rivas) stood out from the rest to get first water. In the cycling sector, Rodriguez would try several times to let go of his rival, but the Gipuzkoa resisted and came together to the second transition.

The race on foot dictated justice and was Ibone SáncHez who put land in the middle from the beginning to take the victory with 2h 27 '. Second entered Nuria Rodríguez with 2h 30 'and completed the podium Aitziber Urkiola (Saltoki Trikideak) with 2h 37 '.

In addition to the elite category, in the Olympic race prizes were also distributed for the Navarro Championship. In men, Ignacio Muller was first with Raúl Amatriain and Marcos Burdaspar behind, while among the women the title was taken by Nuria Rodriguez ahead of Natalia Peñalva and Marina Burgaya on a podium completely covered by members of the Saltoki Trikideak.

After a few hours of rest, at the 15h in the afternoon the sprint test was held, which also promised strong emotions. The first to leave were the men, who had in Martin Iraizoz and Pello Gutierrez two of their top players. The first, along with Miguel Echenique, both triathletes of Saltoki Trikideak, came first from the water.

But on the bike the race would begin to move, with Iraizoz leading the race with 30 seconds ahead of Pello Gutierrez. And it would be the latter, triathlete of the Delteco Eibar Triathlon, which would hunt Iraizoz in the 2 km of the race on foot to take the final victory with 1h 07 ', by 1h 08' of Iraizoz and 1h 10 'by Javier Sodupe (Biosnar Hondarribik). 

In the women's event, Ihanire Urteaga (Aloña Mendi KE) came out of the water first after a large part of swimming. But Elisa González (Saltoki Trikideak), who arrived at the third T1, clenched her teeth on the bike and managed to come back to place herself in first position at the T2. A leadership that would not let go until the goal, taking the title with 1h 24 ', surpassing Valvanera Córdoba (Vini Vidi Bici by Scott) with 1h 27' and Urteaga with 1h 28 '.

Thus, the test again had great success of participation and continues to consolidate in the calendar. The triathletes not only came away satisfied by the circuits but also by the multiple services offered by the organization, such as the pasta party after the race with all kinds of foods ideal to recover strength.

“The Aritzaleku Triathlon has always been characterized by the spectacular nature of the area where the test takes place and by the exquisite treatment of all participants. For us, from the first to the last, everyone has to feel supported and protagonists. It has always been and will continue to be our philosophy ”, says Juan Cruz, race director

Photo: Facebook Aritzaleku Triathlon