Juan Cruz, the soul of the HALF TRIAHLON PAMPLONA

Today we interview Juan Cruz, technical director of Half Triathlon Pamplona Iruña, to talk about the present and future of this test.

 

 

Today we know better Juan Cruz, also known by the nickname of "Murci" He defines himself as a man passionate about sport and the pleasure of practicing it in its different modalities. His first steps began in the mountains: climbing, cross-country skiing, mountaineering, etc.

Over the years and that desire to continue facing challenges, he began to run, ride a bike and swim, as a way to maintain his fitness and mark new sporting milestones. He is aware of the importance of individuality in the discipline of Triathlon, but due to his restless and social nature, he soon realized his need to share it with other people and thus begins his relationship with this sport.

Who is Juan Cruz in the world of Triathlon?

I am a person who loves sports and everything that it entails. Of the pleasure of seeing you progress. To fulfill what you propose and to feel the capacity of oneself. And above all the pleasure of practicing it.

I started collaborating in the organization of the first Aritzaleku Triathlon in the Alloz reservoir in 2002. We organized some summer courses to start the children in this sport and we ended up making a team and a triathlon school in the 2006 called TRIKUA KIROL ELKARTEA. I am currently its president and besides having a large school and a team of adults, we organize the Aritzaleku Triathlon, the Ardantze Triathlon and together with TRIKIDEAK, the HALF TRIATHLON PAMPLONA IRUÑA.

Define the words HALF TRIATHLON PAMPLONA / IRUÑA in 3.

The quality, good organization and a volunteering delivered.

Gorka Blasko explained to us in his interview how the idea of ​​setting up this test came up in Pamplona. How did you live these beginnings?

Personally, the average Ironman distance is the one I like to practice and train the most. In the 2011 in the Triathlon of Aritzaleku we incorporated that distance, since we thought that Navarre had to have it and that we had possibilities for it. We also had a large group of volunteers delivered, which is one of the jewels of the organization, which allow us to think about getting into such an ambitious project as the Half Triathlon Pamplona-Iruña. Immediately we realized that in the Alloz reservoir -camping aritzaleku- we had some limitations to be able to grow and give the service we wanted.

The ability to cover a large number of participants limited us and also its orography, since we had no possibility of looking for a bike route that was not excessively hard. In addition, this race lacked a bit of atmosphere in its running route.

There is no doubt that incorporating Pamplona-Iruña allowed us to dream of covering all these difficulties.  

As the technical director of the event What are the organizational pillars of this test?

Some I have already named but it is important to insist. Much of the quality of the test is based on the work of the volunteers. It is one of our prides and makes you want to name them all. We have always insisted on taking care of them and thanking them for their dedication and their work. Without them it would not be possible to think about something of these dimensions.

 

 

Another pillar is the experience we have in organizing tests. The Aritzaleku Triathlon made its XIII edition in 2015. We have grown progressively in distances. First sprint, then Olympic and we are already in the middle of Ironman. Sure we have a lot to improve, but knowing it is what gives us the key to try.

To all this we must add that we have added Gorka Blasco to the team that brings that long experience as a triathlete and coach.

From the 1 to the 10 What importance do you give to the work team in a sporting event of this magnitude? Why?

I would give him an 10, understanding the work team the sum of the four people we lead and the volunteers.

Organizing a career of this kind has a lot of work and several fields of action. This logistics coverage, marketing, tourism and accommodation, volunteers, management, the press, social networks and much more.

Without a multidisciplinary team that brings experience in these fields it would be difficult to put such a project in motion.

You know the route very well. Could you give some advice to the future participants?

I can only advise the participants to train and enjoy themselves.

It is not a hard but demanding course. The first part is very fast, the rest is mixed areas that require more effort. That combination makes it more demanding.

If it's windy - like last year - it makes it harder. But if not, it is a very affordable tour for all participants.

What contributes to HALF PAMPLONA, with the prestige and recognition that it has already sown in its first edition, belonging to "The Spanish Cup of Triathlon" of Media Distancia?

Being inside the cup means that with only one edition there is already recognition by the national triathlon federation of the potential and quality of the event.

What awaits you for 2016 inside the HALF TRIATHLON PAMPLONA / IRUÑA? Do you have any surprises for 2016?

We do not stop thinking about it and incorporate things that improve the race. This year the surprise is that we are working to be televised on TVE -Teledeporte-. We have many possibilities and we think that the participants will like it.

Further information:  http://www.triatlonpamplona.es/