The Olympic-distance challenge, consisting of 1,500 metres of swimming, 40 kilometres of cycling, and 10 kilometres of running, was completed with flying colours. The organisation, the Club Polideportivo Mijas, was impeccable in the fourth edition of the Villa de Mijas Triathlon. Volunteers, judges, members of the organising team, the police and Civil Guard, and Socorrismo Málaga all did their part to ensure that the triathletes felt supported and safe, allowing them to fully enjoy the event.

At nine in the morning, the swimming race began, with choppy seas and a westerly wind arriving earlier than expected. This required some buoys marking the course to be moved. Ten minutes later, the women set off, with a strong level of participation, including several champions from Andalusia and Spain. The swimming segment made the difference. Javier Linares emerged from the water well ahead in first place, which allowed him to make a perfect transition and maintain his lead on the bike along a new route to Entrerríos, before finishing the run comfortably, pacing himself and raising his arms at the finish line. The surprise came from Christian Villalaza, of Mijas, who staged a strong comeback in the run to secure second place. Rafa Lao completed the podium in a consistent performance.

 

Patricia Bueno also delivered an outstanding swim, emerging from the water with a lead that she consolidated with an excellent bike leg and a measured run, claiming victory ahead of Julie Balcaroba in second place, and Laura Núñez, the winner of the last two editions, who finished third.

 

Diego Pino, head of the triathlon section of C.P. Mijas, expressed his satisfaction with "everyone’s work", noting that "the triathletes congratulated the organisers at the end of the race".

The Mijas Town Hall also supported the event, and the councillor for Sports, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), praised “everyone’s effort” and thanked the Club Polideportivo Mijas and Diego Pino on its behalf for their work. She also highlighted that "events like this are important for promoting sport, tourism, and the economic activity in the town".

 

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