ABU DHABI International Triathlon now features prominently in the emirate’s sporting calendar and this year’s event, which takes place on March 12, will see the introduction of a unique ‘sprint’ distance as an entry platform for aspiring athletes.
Comprising a 750-m swim, 50-km cycle and 5-km run, the new ‘sprint’ is aimed at boosting uptake from novice challengers across the Arabian Gulf and can be raced as an individual or as a team.
“The introduction of the sprint distance means that you don’t need to be an accomplished athlete to get involved,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). “With some solid training you and your friends or work colleagues could be on the start line, ready to put all that hard work to the test. It’s time to swap the couch for the running track.”
The event was recently described as ‘the world’s most glamorous triathlon’, by top triathlon website, TriRadar.com and the course takes the runner around the Yas Marina Circuit as well as the sweeping Corniche and sparkling waters of the Emirates Palace lagoon.
Interest has been extremely high in the second Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, with close to 1,000 athletes already signed-up, eclipsing this year’s debut edition.
Building on the outstanding success of the inaugural $250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, ADTA believes it can attract more than 1,500 international athletes from across the globe, including 75 world elites, to the 2011 edition, virtually doubling the field.
The event will be raced across three lengths. Professionals will be tested across a 3-km swim, followed by a 200-km cycle, finishing with a 20-km running leg. The shorter version, at half the length, has a 1.5-km swim, a 100-km cycle and a 10-km run, with both eligible for a share of the $250,000 prize purse. The new sprint distance will have its own prize pool.