The ‘Dubai International Triathlon’, the first half iron distance triathlon to be held in Dubai is on November 7th at the Atlantis Resort on The Palm, Jumeirah Dubai UAE.
Competitors will be taking their place on the start line alongside a dozen professional athletes led by two-time World Ironman Champion, Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack.
Royal triathlete Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will lead the Bahrain Triathlon Team in the Dubai International Triathlon Championship, Shaikh Nasser assured that the Dubai race is a great opportunity to raise the readiness of the team to compete in the Challenge Bahrain event.
In total more than 1,000 competitors representing 63 nationalities will be taking part.
Featuring a 1.9km swim followed by 90km bike then a 21.1km run, the half iron distance race is endorsed by the Dubai Sports Council and organised by Race ME. More than 1,000 triathletes from all over the world are expected to race in the debut year with a target of in excess of 2,000 within two years.
“Dubai provides the perfect backdrop for a half iron distance race,” commented Paul Venn, Partner, Race ME. “We have perfect weather conditions, a great, fast course and a host city that people all over the world want to visit. This is an event that will very quickly feature in everyone’s top 10 races.”
The swim takes place in the calm, flat waters off the Atlantis Resort. The 2-lap cycle heads off The Palm onto Hessa Street towards Sports City before returning to Atlantis. The route is flat so athletes can expect some fast times. The 2-lap run is entirely on the crescent of The Palm with the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Atlantis Resort providing the picture postcard backdrop to the course.
The Dubai Sports Council are working together with race organisers, Race ME, to help launch the Dubai International Triathlon. This follows their highly successful Desert Triathlon, which saw athletes combine running, cycling and horse riding in a world first.
“One of our roles as the Sports Council is to promote Dubai as global sporting destination,” explained Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, General Secretary of Dubai Sports Council. “Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world so it makes tremendous sense to stage an international race. We would want to encourage young UAE Nationals to get active and races like this one provide the perfect opportunity for them to aspire to compete in.