The official presentation of the event, held in a ceremony gathering representatives from the Cabildo of Lanzarote, SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Tías City Council, and the new organizing entity, The IRONMAN Group, highlighted the competition's significance for the international projection of Canary Islands as a sports tourism destination.
Institutional representatives, including the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, and the Vice Minister of Tourism for the Government of the Canary Islands, José Manuel Sanabria, emphasized the race's deep roots on the island after more than three decades. Its capacity to attract athletes worldwide and solidify Lanzarote's image as a benchmark for outdoor activities and sports tourism was particularly noted.
Oswaldo Betancort underscored the emotional connection between the competition and the Lanzarote community, describing IRONMAN as a sporting celebration passed down through generations. He assured that the new era, with The IRONMAN Group at the helm, aims to preserve the legacy established by Club La Santa and maintain Lanzarote's position in the global sports elite.
From the Government of the Canary Islands, José Manuel Sanabria, Vice Minister of Tourism, pointed to IRONMAN's value as a tool for tourism promotion and economic diversification for the archipelago, highlighting its economic and advertising return, and its ability to merge sports, tourism promotion, and sustainability.
Juan Monzón, the Cabildo's Minister of Physical Activity and Sports, anticipates that this new phase will represent a "first-class boost for sports in Lanzarote," reaffirming the organization's commitment to continuously enhance a race considered among the world's most challenging.
Héctor Fernández, CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, added that the tourism impact extends beyond the race weekend itself, as many participants arrive in advance to train, thereby generating tourist flows for a significant part of the year.
Thomas Veje Olsen, Senior Vice President and Managing Director EMEA of The IRONMAN Group, acknowledged Lanzarote's unique standing in the international IRONMAN calendar and embraced the challenge of continuing the legacy of a race renowned for its toughness, character, and the connection between athletes, territory, and the local population.
Looking ahead to May 2027, the administrations and The IRONMAN Group have reiterated their commitment to maintaining IRONMAN Lanzarote as a premier long-distance triathlon event and a key occasion that promotes the names of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands worldwide.
