The first rest day of the World Triathlon Multisport Championships saw Spain’s Cross Triathlon Team join age group athletes on a reclaimed farm in the heart of the island to underline the event’s commitment to preserving the environment.

The Terra Viva concept aims to recoup abandoned land using syntropic planting and holistic land management, providing a man-made kick-start to what will be an ever-expanding edible forest of 800 trees.

“For me as a Spanish athlete I think it is very important to remember that duathlon and triathlon are so related to nature and projects like this are so important to our people and to the world,” said Eva Garcia Gonzalez, who races on Wednesday in the cross duathlon world championships.

The collective dug in huge boxes of plants on the plot of land 20 minutes from San Antonio, while also being taught about the traditional irrigation methods used and how the only organic chicken farm on the island is able to move around the farm, churning and fertilising the land at each stop.

“It’s been a fantastic experience, I’m so pleased we came,” added Steve Bunce, a British Age-Group athlete who raced the sprint duathlon on Saturday. I’ve learned some new things today, all about progressive syntropy! It’s been an education and it’s so on point because we’ve all made a bit of a negative footprint with flights etc to get here, but to have this and what these guys are doing here is great.”

“It’s been really nice to be here with the Spanish team and some locals and to bring my kids and wife along,” added Sebastien Le Pape. “Having events like this as part of the championship increases the importance of everything surrounding the race, and ecologic problems are so mainstream, to be here has been great.”

A beach clean will take place on Thursday 4 May at Figueretas - location of the weekend’s long distance races - register here to take part and give something back to the beautiful island: www.thinkma.world/en/events/beach-cleanup/