Sports tourism – Ironman, marathons, 5K races and more

There are many attractions that Panama offers: Its beaches, the spectacular and modern shopping centers, the Panama Canal, among other things. In fact, skyscrapers in Panama, usually are the background for all these outdoor activities.  But there is a very important one: Sports tourism. Races, marathons and triathlons. More and more activities of this nature are held in the country, making Panama a major destination for athletes of all kinds.

Sports tourism – Gogetit highlights

* The Ironman world-famous and highly demanding triathlon has chosen Panama once again for the Ironman 70.3 Panama that will bringthousands of participants, professionals and amateurs from all over the world again.

* Sport events such as the Reebok SoundSet Festival, Paddle for a Cause and Cayuco Race, are activities that also promote the sports.

* Other important races in Panama are Panama International Marathon by Asics and the Panama International Half Marathon.

* Panama has races almost every weekend. Most of these races, raise funds for charity.

Since the year starts until December, Panama is chosen as the setting for racing, walking and marathons. This attracts many people from all over the world increasing sports tourism. Most of the races and marathons are held in different parts of the city, such as the coastal strip, Costa del Este, Albrook, Gamboa, among other things.

Gomez Noya won the Ironman Panama in its last edition

Professional athletes competing alongside competitors age on a spectacular route that shows a beautiful part of Central America. The swim course will be 1.2 miles out in the Pacific Ocean on the banks of the Panama Canal, and the new bike course athletes leading two laps of the Causeway on the road to the new Avenida de Poets, through the Casco Viejo (Old Town) through the new tape 3 in the coastal strip of the Bay of Panama towards the East Coast through the Southern Corridor and turn South Coast. The route of the race two laps also uses the Causeway, a major tourist area surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

To put into perspective, the balance in sports tourism Ironman Panama is 12,000 hotel nights due to its 800 direct participants, as well as friends, family and fans attending live racing experience. This translates into 5 to 7 million dollars in addition to the economy of Panama City during the weekend.

Moreover, in Panama was celebrated the 37th International Marathon By Asics Panama, which had a route starting from Hotel Intercontinental Miramar, in Avenida Balboa, and finishing in the same place. The route included most important areas of the capital such as the Canal area, Amador and the Cinta Costera.

This race is organized by the Club de Corredores del Istmo (CCI), an association that for 37 years has pursued the career and now has the backing of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the AIMS (international entity promoting Federated’s activity level and Sports in the world).

In Panama, there’s almost every weekend 5K and 10K races, organized by different companies and organizations. Such is the case of the popular McDonald’s 5K and the ACOBIR 5K (Association of Real Estate Brokers). There are websites specialized in gathering information about where and when is going to be these major sporting events. All races are added to the niche of sports tourism and attract thousands of people inside and outside the country.