The Spanish and Iberian Cross Triathlon Championships (test event for the 2011 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships), held Saturday, 22 May in “El Anillo” of Extremadura, in the West of Spain, were very successful, with more than 600 athletes taking part.

There was a great economic impact in the region for hotels, bars, restaurants, shops. The Organizing Committee estimates that about 3,000 fans followed the event won by Víctor Manuel del Corral and Helena Herrero (1K swim, 20K bike and 6K run). Moreover, the volunteers’ presence has been wonderful, having surpassed all the expectations.

There were 11 national and regional accredited media (20 Minutes, Marca, As, El Mundo and El Periódico Extremadura), triathlon magazines (Finisher Triatlón), webs (Diario del Triatlón and Triatlonchannel), televisions (Eurosport) and radios (Canal Extremadura Radio and Cope Extremadura).

For all media, the Organizing Committee prepared different activities: a visit to El Anillo with authorities, a clinic with triathletes Iván Raña and José Manuel Tovar, José Hidalgo (Spanish Triathlon Federation president) and Jorge García (ITU technical delegate); a supersprint cross triathlon for media, a lunch with Carlos Javier Rodríguez (Extremadura Counselor of Sports) and a dinner with the Spanish Triathlon Federation.

Furthermore, the event has been recognised with Ecoflag, developed by the non-profit international organization Global Sport Alliance (GSA).

The Ecoflag Movement is a global drive by sport enthusiasts to develop a sustainable society. Flying the Ecoflag at sport events the event organization aims to increase environmental awareness and promote action among spectators and athletes.

GSA, based in Tokyo, has decided to wave Ecoflag in El Anillo, recognising the labour of the Spanish Triathlon Federation and the Extremadura Autonomous Community to respect environment.