Tourexpi
The
TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca 2024 concluded triumphantly this past Sunday,
marking another year of extraordinary participation. Celebrating its 20th
anniversary, the biggest running event in the Balearic Islands, attracted more
than 8,400 athletes, 44% of which were female – the highest for a marathon in
Spain. With representation from 75 countries the TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca
once again cemented its status as a premier international marathon. The streets
of Palma came alive with a dynamic blend of athleticism, excitement, and the
support of thousands of family members and friends cheering from the sidelines.
The
42 km marathon route, which meandered along the scenic coastline and passed
iconic landmarks such as Palma Cathedral, La Llotja, and Es Baluard, was just
one highlight of the day. Participants also enjoyed a half-marathon and a 9 km
race, offering varied options for both seasoned marathoners and casual runners.
Notably, around 500 TUI employees took part, including TUI Group CEO Sebastian
Ebel, Chief Strategy Officer, Peter Krueger, and TUI Musement CEO, Peter
Ulwahn, who ran side by side with colleagues, visitors and the local community
after Sybille Reiß, Chief People Officer, fired the starter pistol.
Sebastian
Ebel highlighted: "We are incredibly proud of the TUI Palma Marathon
Mallorca’s success. It demonstrates the unifying power of sports and reinforces
TUI’s commitment to the Balearic Islands. This event is an important platform
for showcasing how we can merge tourism with meaningful local experiences. We
extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, spectators, and our partners
for making the TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca truly unforgettable. This year
I completed the 9km, maybe next year I’ll go for the half marathon!"
Winners
of the TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca 2024
The
TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca concluded with an impressive display of athletic
prowess, with winners from various countries, reflecting the global nature of
the marathon in celebrating achievements of athletes worldwide. The top three
marathon finishers received awards presented by TUI, the title sponsor of the
event.
Winning
the female run was Annika Uckel from Germany, clinching first place, followed
closely by Belgium’s Hannelore Olleunis, and Canada’s Shannon Kelsey Schilthuis
securing third. In the men’s race, Aziz Boutoiz of Morocco emerged victorious,
with second place claimed by local Mallorcan runner Toni Roca, and third by
Thomas Kjetland from Norway. In the half-marathon, British runner Jemima Cooper
won the women's category, while Italian Luca Cantoni triumphed in the men's.
For the 9km, German runner René Menzel was the fastest male, while French
athlete Liv Westphal won the women's category.
TUI’s
Drive for Sports Initiatives and Sustainable Tourism
The
TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca exemplified the powerful synergy between sports and
tourism, and how it can invigorate local communities, attract visitors, and
offer highlight the cultural essence of a destination. The event also
demonstrated TUI's commitment to working closely with local partners to create
experiences that inspire travel and promote sustainable tourism. Innovative
measures have ensured the event cointinues to champion sustainbaility,
including finisher t-shirts, runners bags, packaging and the medal ribbons
being made from recycled and biodegradable materials, a more paperless
approach, and a comprehensive recycling and waste collection plan. The entire
on-sites, managed by Kumulus, one of the leading sports agencies in Mallorca,
was conducted digitally rather than using printed materials.
The
sponsorship of the TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca, which continues through 2025
and 2026, marks the beginning of a broader, global strategy in sports
sponsorship, including other international events, such as the upcoming TUI
Rhodes Marathon in April 2025, which is expected to gather over 3,500 runners
from 50 countries on the historic island of Rhodes.
Image
Credit: © TUI Group
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