Eighth txapela in Zarautz, I got the first one in 98, oh! I’m getting old …
This year the field was deeper than ever, thanks to the race been included in the TriGrandPrix series, and the good prize money, a good amount of elite triathletes came to Zarautz. The swim was fun, with some waves on our way from Getaria to Zarauz; getting close to the beach I lost contact with the leading group and I wasn´t able to catch any wave, so I started the bike with some seconds lost. I went out on the bike with the idea of catching the head of the race as soon as possible but the Swiss Matias Hetch was riding strong and would not let me get close. It was at the 50 km mark when I found my best feelings, until then I was riding at Ironman pace, a bit sleep, it took me sometime to start the engine, but little by little I was getting a good pace and picking the right tone. At the top of Aia I was 30 seconds behind Matias and Mikel was getting very close, we started the run this way. By the third kilometer of the run I took the lead and after running a strong first lap I got a good gap and took it easier running at a more conservative pace and keeping my lead safe in the two remaining laps. Clemente was running very fast, but the turnaround on the Malecon let me take the necessary references to keep the race under control.
The finish line was exciting and spectacular as always, like the rest of the race, the ambience is always incredible in Zarautz, can be sunny, rainy, cold, hot… the public affection is felt throughout the race. The cheers at the climb to Aia, running along the Malecon or passing through the human corridor that forms on the Main Street is without doubt some of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever lived in my career as a triathlete, and all this makes this triathlon always to be marked with red in my calendar. Thanks to Zarautz Triatloi Elkartea, the people that make this race possible, and above all: Eskerrik asko Zarautz!
