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A comprehensive guide to racing Challenge Salou.
*This is a review of Challenge Salou based on my experience in the 2024 middle distance race.
Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi
Pre Travel: For our trip we travelled from the Barcelona Airport(BCN) to Salou. We took a direct flight from Toronto. We used public transit for our trip and found it easy and reliable. We felt safe throughout our entire trip, but like always, accessing reliable information is important prior to travel. According to the Canadian Travel Advisory (at the time of writing this) the risk level for Spain is: Exercise A High Degree Of Caution due to threat of terrorism. We recommend you read the information provided from the Canadian Travel Advisory in detail prior to travel.
We also took note of the closest Consular Agency for Canada, which for this trip was in Barcelona.
We prepared for emergencies by ensuring our travel insurance was active and would provide adequate coverage.
The Race:
Venue: Salou, Spain
Photo by Nabeel Chirathodi
Expo and Transition Set Up:
The expo, open on the Friday and Saturday before the race, was well-organized and well-staffed, there were multiple vendors offering race day essentials at reasonable prices. For example, I purchased two CO2 canisters for five euros.
Packet pick-up was also located at the expo. However, I can't comment on the process, as my packet was delivered directly to our race briefing for the Women's Professional race.
Unique Feature: At packet pick-up, you receive a souvenir backpack, drawstring bags for your gear, and your swim cap for the race. The provided gear is of excellent quality, including durable reusable drawstring bags and a silicone swim cap.
Race Tip: Prepare your transition bags the night before. This helps ensure a smooth set up race morning.
Transition setup took place on the morning of the race. Athletes were permitted to leave their bikes on the designated racks, while all other equipment (helmet, shoes, race belt, etc.) was stored in bags near the T1 entrance and T2 exit. Both the bike racks and equipment bag areas were clearly marked, providing ample space for gear and ensuring a smooth flow through the transition area.
Photos by Rachel Faulds
Race Day Tip: Plan extra time to use the toilet before the race. There were a few port-a-pottys in transition and some public washrooms along the beach.
Video by Nabeel Chirathodi
Swim: The swim consisted of two loops in the ocean and was wetsuit legal. Each loop formed a triangle with two large buoys that athletes had to keep on their right side. The course featured an 'Aussie Exit' and was quite wavy. The swim distance varied between 2.5 to 2.9 km, depending on the line an athlete took and where their GPS split heading into transition.
Definition: Aussie Exit: A type of swim exit that occurs in open water races with two or more laps. The competitors exit the water after each lap to run on land around a marker and re enter the water to swim subsequent laps.
Transition 1: After exiting the swim, there is a short run up the beach into T1, which is carpeted for comfort. An aid station with water is conveniently located before entering T1. Gear bags are stationed at the transition entrance, where athletes should drop off their swim gear and pick up their bike gear.
Race Day Tip: Make a mental note of where your gear bag is located so that you can find it quickly in transition.
After picking up their bike gear, athletes retrieve their bikes and exit from the opposite end of the transition area. The mount line is clearly marked, signaling where athletes can begin the first lap of their bike course.
Bike: The bike for the middle distance race was 3 loops. It was completely closed to traffic with multiple roundabouts and three 180 degree turns per loop. The course was very clearly marked with race officials, police and medical staff patroling the course, ensuring a safe and organized race environment.
Elevation: This course is rolling, my GPS showed an elevation change of 435 meters/1427 feet.
Each loop featured one aid station offering water and electrolyte drinks from 226ERS, it was situated just after a roundabout on a flat section of the course. The bottles provided were reusable and easily accessible.
If you plan on using the aid stations, remember to be mindful of the 'litter zones' positioned before and after the aid station. These zones are designated for athletes to dispose of their existing bottles and replace them with the ones provided.
Unique Feature: The bike course was on a four lane highway that was completely closed to traffic.
Transition 2: Upon completing the final lap, athletes dismount on the right-hand side of the road and enter T2. The dismount line is clearly marked, ensuring ease of navigation on the multi-loop course. Athletes leave their bikes at the designated racks and proceed to the gear bags to exchange their bike gear for their run gear. T2 follows a reverse flow compared to T1, where the bike drop-off precedes the gear bags. All sections of T2 are clearly marked, including the exit onto the run course.
Run : The run course consists of four complete 5km loops with an additional 1 kilometer run to the finish. Each loop has 2 aid stations. The run course had a couple of 'hot spots', where spectators were congregated, including running through the expo and near transition zone.
Elevation: This course is flat, my GPS showed that there was a total elevation change of of 21 meters/69 feet.
Nutrition: On course nutrition was water, drinks from 226ERS, and Red Bull.
All nutrition was accessible on the run course. The aid stations on the bike provided bottles of water and drinks from 226ERS.
During the middle distance race, athletes had access to one aid station per lap on the bike course, totaling three aid stations, and two aid stations per lap on the run course, totaling eight aid stations.
Photos by Nabeel Chirathodi
Miscellaneous: The aid station volunteers from Salou's local triathlon club were exceptional, offering outstanding support and assistance throughout the entire event.
Challenge Salou featured a range of races, from short to middle distance, making it accessible to athletes of varying abilities and goals. This inclusivity added to the vibrant and fun atmosphere of the event. The day before the triathlon, there was also a family run, allowing everyone, regardless of age or skill level, to experience the excitement and cross the finish line, which truly embodied the spirit and camaraderie of the Challenge Family event.
Overall Rating: A+
This race earned a perfect score based on the scoring guide.
Pre Race Training and Accomodation:
Preparing for the race in Salou was straightforward and convenient. For swimming, there were multiple beach options as well as the pool at Pavelló Municipal de Salou.
Cycling was facilitated by numerous bike lanes throughout the city. However, it's important to note that athletes could not bike the race course beforehand, as it runs along a highway.
Running was equally accessible, with plenty of suitable routes throughout Salou.
Accommodation options catered to various budgets and did not appear to have inflated prices due to the event.
In the lead-up to the race, mechanical services were available at the expo. Additionally, a local athlete recommended Bike Taller for any bike-related needs.
Medical services were easily accessible, with nearby hospitals and pharmacies.
Both grocery stores and restaurants were plentiful, though restaurants closer to the tourist center tended to be more expensive.
Overall Rating: A+
Curious on how the scoring works? Check out the scoring guide.
Post Race Sightseeing:
Salou is a popular destination for tourists. There are a lot of activities nearby and it's easy to book transportation through cabs or public transit. Some major sightseeing attractions include for following:
*Please note that this is NOT an exhaustive list. There are many other great things to see and do in Salou and the surrounding area.
PortAventura World: Port Aventura Park, the first theme park in Spain, offers over 40 rides and a variety of shows. The park features six different themed worlds to explore: Mexico, Polynesia, Far West, China, Mediterrània, and SésamoAventura.
The Lighthouse of Salou: A popular attraction in Salou, the lighthouse, was installed in 1858 to illuminate the Gulf of San Jodi on the Costa Daurada. Its white light, powered by olive oil, can be seen from up to 14 miles away.
Cycling: Salou is a bike-friendly area with numerous bike lanes, making it easy and enjoyable to explore the area by bicycle.
Guided Tours and Water Activities: Salou is a well-established tourist destination. Along the beach, you'll find various businesses offering water activities and day tours, including options for exploring nearby Tarragona.
Photos by Rachel Faulds and Nabeel Chirathodi
Words To Know:
Hi - Hola
Goodbye - Adios
Yes - Si
No- No
Please- Por favor
Thank you - Gracias
No thank you- No gracias
Ok - ok
Triathlons In Spain:
Closest Airport: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
Closest Airport: Barcelona (BCN)
Closest Airport: Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
Closest Airport: Bilbao Airport (BIO)/ Vitoria Airport (VIT)
Closest Airport: BCN
Closest Airport: Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP)
Closest Airport: Valencia Airport (VLC)
Closest Airport: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
Closest Airport: Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
Closest Airport: Bilbao Airport (BIO)/ Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
Closest Airport :Closest Airport: Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Closest Aiprort: Closest Airport: Bilbao Airport (BIO)/ Vitoria Airport (VIT)
Closest Airport: Valencia Airport (VLC)
Closest Airport: Pamplona Airport (PNA)/Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Closest Airport: Valencia Airport (VLC)
Closest Airport : Castellon Airport (CDT)/Reus Airport(REU)
Where to Stay:
We stayed at the race hotel, Medplaya Hotel Calypso. The location was convinient for training and a short walk to the race venue. There are numerous Airbnb and hotel options near the race, catering to various budgets.
Medplaya Hotel Calypso provided an option to include meals with your stay. However, we found the dining area to be quite busy and opted to enjoy meals at the nearby restaurants instead.
Tips and Tricks:
Plan your nutrition in advance, including if you are going to be using aid stations. If you are using aid stations make sure you look out for litter zones and/or prep yourself for the bottle pick ups.
Bring a flat changing kit (and/or a flat patching kit).
Give yourself extra time race morning since there is often long lines for toilets.
If you plan on using aid stations during the bike practice grabbing bottles during your ride(s)/training.
Race Specific:
Prepare your equipment bags the night before the race to have a smooth set up race morning.
In your race prep, be sure to practice your sighting for the swim. This race features an ocean swim with widely spaced buoys, and the waves can make sighting challenging.
If you are flying into Barcelona for this race, be sure to check out Busplana for economical transfer options.
Cost:
The local currency in Salou is the Euro. As of this writing, 1 Euro is equivalent to 1.47 CAD.
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Salou, with Visa being the most commonly used.
Tipping is optional and generally not expected, but it is appreciated for excellent service. The customary maximum is around 10%.
Accomodations: There was a wide range of accommodations available, with prices ranging from $65 CAD to over $800 CAD per night. The race hotel offered us a special rate, and we paid 74 Euros (109 CAD) per night for two people, with breakfast included.
Food: There were a lot of restaurants in Salou. Close to the beach along the tourist area they were more expensive and could cost more than 20-30 euros per person. Leaving the beach area restaurants were generally cheaper. Our two favourite restaurants of the trip were Restaurant-Pizzeria Sapori d'Italia and Antalya II. Parking Fees: Some accommodations provided on-site parking or access to street parking. Additionally, several parking lots throughout Salou offer paid daytime parking, which can be found on the Visit Salou website.
Taxi Cost: We took a taxi from the bus stop to our race hotel for a fare of 8 Euros (11.78 CAD). As of this writing, the average cost for a taxi in Salou is 8 Euros for a 2-3 km ride and 12 Euros for a 4-5 km ride.
Airport Transfer: The most direct transfer options from Barcelona Airport to Salou include taxi, rental car, shuttle, or bus. The cost of these options varies, with the bus being the most affordable and a taxi potentially costing up to 200 Euros (294 CAD). We opted for the Busplana bus, which had a round-trip cost of 30.9 Euros (45.52 CAD) per person. Before our trip, we contacted Busplana regarding luggage and a bike box and were informed that there could be a fee of up to 20 Euros, payable in cash to the driver. Although we were not charged for our luggage, I recommend reaching out to the bus company before your trip to confirm any potential fees.
Entry Fee: I competed in the Women's Pro division, where the entry cost depends on the PTO ranking. My ranking earned me a 50% discount on the entry fee. For general registration, the middle distance race costs 199 Euros (299.13 CAD), the short distance race costs 129 Euros (190.03 CAD), and the relay races cost 249 Euros (266.80 CAD).
Expo Fees: The expo had free entry and featured a wide variety of apparel and equipment for sale. The prices appeared to be at market value.
Interested in a free triathlon guide? Check our homepage!
Please note that this post was written from my perspective and experiences. Your experiences may vary. Please read the Canadian travel advisory (or your own countries travel advisory) prior to travel.
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