Swimrun Canary Islands

The Swimrun Canary Islands, or Swimrun Canarias, is a series of 3 Swimrun events taking place in the beautiful Canary Islands. The Islands are part of Spain and are an archipelago located off the coast of North West Africa.

They are rugged, volcanic isles and are particularly know for their black and white sandy beaches. They were not named after canary birds, the name comes from the Latin word for dog: 'canaria'.

The Swimrun Canary Islands series takes place on 3 of the islands - Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fueteventura. Tenerife is the largest of the islands dominated by Mount Teide, a dormant volcano and has many beaches with sands in both yellow and black colors.

Fueteventura is the second largest and is known for its strong winds and pristine coastline of white sand beaches. Gran Canaria is known as a continent in miniature with diverse landscapes and vast sand dunes.

Swimrun competitors running on a sandbar on the Canary Islands.

Beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands

The Series started in 2017 in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, and in the fourth edition of the series (2020) Tenerife joined the Series.

With many Swimrun events being cancelled in 2020 and 2021, the Swimrun Canary Islands series were fortunate to be able to run their events, although at a later date than planned! There are team and solo events racing through beaches, rocky areas, trails and natural areas of the different islands.

2023 dates are now being set - Check our Swimrun Calendar Europe 2023!

2023 Swimrun Canary Islands
(Islas Canarias)

Swimrun Tenerife

Date: 24 April 2022 - TBC in 2023

There are 2 distances, the Sprint which is 12.36 km and the Super Sprint at 6.46 km. Due to the shorter distances, these events are great for newcomers to the sport. They take place at Guia de Isora on the island.

Both events take you swimming in the salt water and running on asphalt, pavement, trails and volcanic rock. The water temperature is anticipated to be between 18 and 21 degrees C. In both events there are a couple of tricky run sections where you cannot overtake due to the danger of the terrain.

Sprint Distance

The Sprint distance has 5 swim sections and 4 run sections with a total of 12.36 km. Participants have 3 hours to complete the course.

Swimrun Tenerife Sprint

Super Sprint Distance

Swimrun Tenerife Super Sprint

The Super Sprint distance has 3 swim sections and 3 run sections with a total of 6.45 km. Participants have 3 hours to complete the course.

Swimrun Canarias

Check out the video below from the 2020 Swimrun Tenerife event!

Swimrun Gran Canaria

Date: 11 June 2022 - TNC 2023

This event is held in Maspalomas and is hosted by San Bartolome de Tirajana. There are 2 events, the Sprint event at 9.72 km and the Super Sprint at 7.79 km.

Water temperature is anticipated between 18 and 22 degrees C.

Great T-shirts for the Swimrun Gran Canaria

Sprint Distance

There are 4 swim sections and 5 run sections in the Sprint distance with a total of 9.72 km. Swims are of course in the sea and the runs take place on sand, pavement and stones. Participants have 3 hours to complete the route.

Swimrun Gran Canaria Sprint Distance

Super Sprint Distance

Swimrun Gran Canaria Super Sprint Distance

The Super Sprint has 3 swim sections and 4 run sections with a total of 7.79 km, and is ideal for beginners to the sport. The terrain is the same as in the Sprint and participants have 2.15 hours to complete the route.

Swimrun competitors running on sand in the swimrun canary islands event

Taking part in Swimrun Canarias on the beautiful beaches

Swimrun Fuerteventura

Two swimrunners wearing yellow caps swimming in blue sea with a sandy beach in the background, at the swimrun canary islands event.

Swimrun Fuerteventura

Date: 2023 - TO BE CONFIRMED

Swimrun Fuerteventura is hosted by Pájara, and is where the series finishes. There are 2 distances - the Sprint distance of 11 km and the Half distance of 21.53 km. The Half is officially called the Aquaticrunner Fuerteventura World Cup Half Distance.

You can see from the maps below that you will need to practise your sand running!

Half Distance

The Half distance has 5 swim sections and 6 run sections, with each participant having 4 hours to complete the 21.53 km total.

Half Distance

The trophies for the World Cup Half Distance have special meaning - they are made from recycled materials and any profits go towards the fight against cancer. They are in the shape of swimrun paddles!