Challenge Salou – Costa Daurada

Challenge Salou is a triathlon on the Costa Daurada, and its next edition takes place on Sunday 9 May 2027. All races start at Platja de Llevant in Salou and run along the seafront and the surrounding roads, with a swim, bike and run for both the T100 and the short distance.

Routes and distances

• T100 Distance (individual and relay): 2 km swim, 80 km bike, 18 km run.
• Short Distance: 1 km swim, 54 km bike, 9 km run.

On the T100 course the swim is held in shallow water along the beach, with views towards the Ebro Delta and the Serra de la Mussara. The bike leg is made up of three loops on a highway, and the run covers four loops through the Costa Daurada. The day before, on Saturday 8 May 2027, the organisers also stage a Family Run (2 km) and a Kids Run (1 km). The organiser also publishes a downloadable bike-course GPX file on its website.

Registration

Entries for the T100 and the Short Distance are open through the organiser’s online registration. At the time of writing the organiser lists T100 individual at €259 (rising to €269), T100 relay at €299 (rising to €329) and Short Distance at €159 (rising to €169), with a discount available for clubs. Check the official website for current prices and the race-day schedule, which in 2027 has the first T100 start at 07:15.

Why race it

The T100 is linked to qualification for The Championship, according to the organiser, which gives the event a competitive edge. The course is also compact: the swim, the transition area and the seafront run are all around Salou’s beach, which makes race weekend logistics simple for athletes and supporters alike.

Where to stay

Triathlon weekends are won on logistics, and in Salou the swim, the transition area and the seafront run are all close together. Arriving the day before lets you collect your bib, rack your bike and walk the beach without a rush, and staying in Salou or neighbouring Cambrils means a short, easy trip back to a pool and a proper recovery meal afterwards.

H10 Vintage Salou – Adults Only – in Salou, right by Plaza de Europa and close to the seafront. Its cycling services include bike mechanical aid, repair tools and supplies, a bike wash and bike rental, which suits triathletes who want the machine checked and clean before it goes into transition. Laundry for race kit and a rooftop pool terrace make the post-race recovery easy, and the hotel is Cycling Friendly Bronze certified.

Oh!tels Vila Romana – in Salou, about ten minutes from the beach. It has a dedicated cycling centre with bicycle storage and a workshop area, plus bike rental and repair tools, and the hotel has road and MTB riders in mind. A fitness room and indoor and outdoor pools are handy for loosening up the day before the race and for tired legs after it.

Hotel Mas Gallau – Cambrils, about 4 km from the start. A quieter, garden-set option away from the busy centre, with free bike storage for around thirty bikes, a tool workshop, a washing area and route suggestions for all levels. Bike rental is available on request, so it works well if you are bringing the family or plan an easy spin before race day.

H10 Cambrils Playa – Cambrils, about 4 km from the start and 50 metres from l’Esquirol beach. Its cycling station is a guarded, video-monitored room with individual bike racks, a cleaning area, repair tools and a map of local routes, and the hotel holds the Catalan tourist board’s cycle-tourism certification. Add laundry, a pool and a large garden, and you have a calm place to recover once the finish line is behind you.

Event weekend fills up quickly on the Costa Daurada, so book early, and browse more cycling-friendly accommodation to compare options.