WHERE TO TRAIN IN MALLORCA

With clear blue waters, smooth roads and endless running options, Mallorca is a triathlete's dream. Here are some of the Balearic island's best bits...

- Caroline Livesey

THE NORTH

Port de Pollenca and Alcudia

Sitting just below the Tramuntana Mountains, Port de Pollenca and Alcudia are perfect for athletes looking for a cycling focus with long days in the mountains. The world-famous Sa Calobra can be accessed from here, although that's a big day in itself!

There are 25m indoor municipal pools in Pollenca, Port de Pollenca and Alcudia, but because this is such a popular training spot among triathletes a number of the larger hotels also have private 25m training pools (see Viva Blue, Hoposa Villaconcha, Hotel & Spa Ferrer Janeiro). Some even include underwater video analysis if you're looking to perfect your swim technique.

There are accommodation options for all budgets, and with Baia de Pollenca and Baia de Alcudia providing endless beaches and sandybottomed lagoons for safe open-water swims, it's no surprise this is a popular training destination. The Albufereta wetlands (just 5km south of Port de Alcudia) offer numerous running trails, most of which are paved. You can easily do 12km+ here among the wetlands and small villages and farms.

Both Alcudia and Pollenca also have seafront promenades which are busy during the day, but early morning runners can enjoy these in relative quiet with the added benefit of watching the sun rise over the ocean.

THE EAST

Peninsula Llevant, Arta and Cala Ratjada

The area around Arta, Capdepera and Cala Ratjada is quieter than other locations on the island but offers fabulous sorcan tranquillity and gastronomy to go alongside your sessions.