The race number ready on the bedside table, the wetsuit still damp from a practice swim in the sea, a run along the water’s edge and one last check on the bike. When you come to Jesolo to race, you already know the competition begins a few days before the starting gun.
Over the event weekend, the town fills up with athletes from all over Italy and abroad, friends and family in tow. In the morning you pass runners on the seafront doing their final strides, and at the café you hear talk of times to beat and sea currents.
In this guide we start with Jesolo’s main sporting events and the buzz of the days leading up to them, suggesting where you can make the most of your training. Then we’ll show you how Hotel Portofino gets organised for your race, from bike storage to late check-out on request.
To plan your next trip to Jesolo, browse the events calendar for the year’s key dates, sporting and otherwise.
Ironman 70.3 Venice-Jesolo
Ironman 70.3 Venice-Jesolo is part of the international Ironman series, and every edition brings triathletes from dozens of countries to Jesolo, from professionals to amateurs. For many, the race counts double, as it awards qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
The course starts in the sea with a 1.9 km swim, continues with 90 km on the bike and finishes with a 21.1 km run, between the town and the Venetian lagoon.
As at other Ironman races, you collect your race number at registration and check in your bike in the days before the start. That’s why we recommend planning a stay of a few nights, so you can take on the challenge with fresh legs and the right focus.
Dates, entries and qualifying slots change every year. You’ll find all the latest updates on the official Ironman website.
Jesolo Moonlight Half Marathon
The Jesolo Moonlight Half Marathon is an evening half marathon that sets off in the glow of sunset and finishes under the stars. It is organised by Venicemarathon together with the Municipality of Jesolo. The route runs through the countryside and the pine woods, then continues along the beach on a paved stretch.
The programme includes the classic 21 km distance and a shorter 10 km race.
On the flat course, measured to international standards, you can go for a personal best. The evening start means you can spend the morning on the beach and the afternoon by the pool, and turn up at the start line rested.
Arriving in Jesolo the night before gives you time to collect your race number and get ready without rushing. For event timings, dates, entries and race pack collection details, visit the official Jesolo Moonlight Half Marathon website.
Beach volleyball tournaments at Jesolo Beach Arena
For your beach volleyball tournaments, the go-to venue in Lido di Jesolo is Jesolo Beach Arena: ten regulation courts right on the beach, with the sea just a few metres from the end line. This is where JBA holds its long-standing competitions, such as the JBA Cup, The Big One and Lui & Lei, on the same sand where more than one world champion got their start.
In summer the calendar expands to include federation-sanctioned and amateur competitions, and you can pick out the tournament that suits your level. In the days beforehand, booking a court at the Arena will help you get used to the playing surface and the wind off the sea.
Training in Jesolo in the run-up to the race
A few days out from the event, you’ll already have put in the hardest work. To hold your form, all you need are short sessions with a few efforts at race pace. Jesolo’s almost entirely flat terrain makes it easy to keep a steady pace: the beach stretches for more than fifteen kilometres and the cycle paths run through the town from one end to the other.
With the beach a hundred metres from Hotel Portofino, a short swim in your wetsuit helps you settle back into your open-water stroke and get used to the temperature.
On the bike, you can ride with nothing to break your rhythm on the country roads around Jesolo and on the roughly 500 km of cycle routes between Lido di Jesolo and the surrounding area. It’s your call whether to spin your legs out with an easy ride or push on at a solid pace.
For running, the surface you choose depends on your training and your habits: the paved seafront gives you the feel of the road, while the soft sand along the shoreline asks more of your calves. During the hottest part of the day you can head to the pine woods, about ten kilometres from the hotel. The shade of the trees lets you finish your session with a clear head.
Hotel Portofino for athletes
In an athlete’s suitcase, kit often takes up more space than clothes. As soon as you arrive at Hotel Portofino, you’ll also find room for what won’t fit in it: your car stays in the private car park and your bike in the indoor storage room, right up to your last day.
In the days before the competition, after training you can relax in the outdoor pool and stop at Bistrofino for a quick bite. And if you need to pick anything up at the last minute, the shops in the town centre are a two-minute walk away.
At dinner, the menu is never the same. Choosing your dishes the evening before lets you fine-tune your nutrition ahead of race day. If you follow a special diet, you can let us know when you book.
The night before the race matters as much as your last training session, because when you wake up you need muscles ready to fire and a rested mind. The centre may be very close, but our hotel is on a side street, away from the comings and goings on the seafront. When you get back to your room, you can look forward to a quiet night.
If your race starts early, you can arrange to have breakfast before the usual time. At the buffet, choosing from sweet and savoury dishes, you can put together the meal that best suits your routine.
On request, once you’ve crossed the finish line, we can provide ice for your most tired muscles and, should you want treatment, the contact details of physiotherapists we trust. Then the rest of the day is yours, to shake off the tension built up during the race.
For information, special requests or advice on routes, you’ll find Sofia and the rest of the Micelotta-Agostino family at reception, ready to make your trip easier.
If you’re travelling with an athlete
While the athletes train, you can spend a few hours on the hotel’s partner beach, with a parasol and sun loungers included in your stay, or take one of Hotel Portofino’s free bikes and explore Lido di Jesolo all the way to the lagoon. For more ideas, we recommend our guide to what to see in Jesolo and our article on Jesolo as a city of sport.
On race day, you can pick the best vantage points along the course and cheer them on at every transition of the Ironman, all the way to the finish. If you’d rather have a go yourself, you can join the Moonlight’s 3 km Family Run, open to families and enthusiasts.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book Hotel Portofino for a race in Jesolo?
You can book Hotel Portofino as soon as you’ve entered the race: on race weekends, rooms in Lido di Jesolo get booked up quickly. For the Moonlight, arriving the evening before is enough. For Ironman, it’s better to stay a few extra nights, because registration and bike check-in take place a few days before the race.
Does Hotel Portofino arrange transfers from the airport or the station?
Yes, on request. Reception at Hotel Portofino can arrange a private transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport, about forty minutes from Lido di Jesolo, or from San Donà di Piave-Jesolo station. Your bike and kit travel with you.
Does Hotel Portofino have bike storage?
Yes. Hotel Portofino in Jesolo keeps guests’ bikes in an indoor storage room for the whole of their stay. This way, your race bike stays safe until competition day.
Does Hotel Portofino offer a laundry service when races are on?
Yes, on request. During sporting events, Hotel Portofino in Jesolo can arrange for your technical clothing to be washed by an external laundry, which is handy when you’re staying more than one night and fitting in several training sessions.
Does Hotel Portofino offer early check-in and late check-out?
Yes, on request and subject to availability. On race days, Hotel Portofino in Jesolo can bring your check-in forward or push your check-out back. So when you get back from the competition, your room is still yours for a little rest or a hot shower.
Book your race weekend in Jesolo
At Hotel Portofino you can sleep in a quiet area, train a hundred metres from the beach and eat the way you’re used to. That way, the only thing on your mind is the race.
Choose your room for the days of the event and ask us for a quote. Your race starts here.
