The toughest IM. Period. 2005 was the 14th IM located on one of Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Extremely well-organized, it fully caters to the needs of the athlete. The swim course is a 2-loop rectangular counter-clockwise course and you exit the water after the first loop;

fairly calm seas and you can see the bottom at times. The bike is brutal. I repeat: the bike is brutal. Unending strong headwinds, terrible road surfaces, long hills, and dangerous downhill switchbacks; there is NOTHING athlete-friendly. The run is four loops thru the downtown area that is along the ocean with, thankfully, lots of spectator support. Overall, the best organized IM I’ve done and the hardest bike course. Even if you’re a strong cyclist, you must be patient – the course is unforgiving if you go out too fast.