Abu Dhabi: More than 250 aspiring young triathletes converged on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche on Friday to take part in the largest junior triathlon in the Arab world — the Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon.
The Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon, presented by National Insurance Company Daman, enjoyed a second year of roaring success in the UAE’s capital with hundreds of children and spectators taking to the Corniche to watch the race. The event was raced in two age-group formats — 9-12 years old and 13-16 years old — and saw Olympic bronze medallist, Jonny Brownlee, and Arab triathlete, Omar Nour, supporting the next generation of promising triathletes at the start and finish lines.
Thirteen-year-old Italian Claudio Cellie from Star International School won the 13-16 year old male category, completing a 300-metre swim, nine-kilometre bike ride and a 2.5-kilometre run in an impressive time of 35 minutes 44 seconds.
“What an amazing experience. I had so much fun and it feels really good to be racing on the same track as Olympic champions and Ironman winners. I would like to dedicate my win to my coach Trace Rogers, who constantly pushes me to do my best.”
Another budding young triathlete, Madison Lowndes, ended the race on a winning note securing a first-place female finish in the 13-16 age group: “I feel very happy that I’ve won it and I’m also very tired now. This is my first triathlon competition but I’ve been doing some training with Starfish triathlon and I carried on my running and swimming training outside of school, I like the running the most. I’ve always looked up to the Brownlee [Jonny and Alistair] brothers so it was amazing seeing Jonny start the race. I think I’m going to continue doing triathlons and duathlons as I really enjoyed them,” said the 13-year-old Briton, who completed the race in 38 minutes 44 seconds.
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Olympic triathlete Jonny Brownlee commented: “It’s really rewarding to see the sense of accomplishment and excitement on the kid’s faces as they crossed the finish line today — there’s clearly a huge appetite for triathlon here in the UAE and it’s brilliant to see the next generation of triathletes taking up the sport so enthusiastically.”
Twenty-three year old Brownlee was introduced to triathlon at an early age before he made his international debut at the ITU World Junior Championships in 2008. The British elite triathlete was quick to stress the importance of starting early and highlights the influence triathlon had on him growing up:
“Starting triathlon at a young age was the best thing I ever did and it’s events such as the Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon that play a significant role in introducing the sport to youngsters.”
Joining Jonny in the crowds of supporters at the finish line was Arabia’s favourite triathlete, Omar Nour, who gears up to take on Saturday’s short course at the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority-organised (TCA Abu Dhabi) event.
“The Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon, presented by ActiveLife, is one of my favourite junior events in the region and I am honoured to be a part of supporting ambitious young racers in every way I can. This event gives a boost to children and encourages them to get active from such a young age and everyone today went home with well-deserved medals.”
The youngsters were looking to follow in the footsteps of the sport’s greatest elite athletes, who will take on the fifth Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on Saturday.
Faisal Al Shaikh, Director, Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi, is already looking forward to making a bigger splash next year and growing the junior event even further.
“Junior triathlon is a fantastic way to introduce children to multi-sport at a young age. The great turnout at the event, the smiles on parents’ faces and the celebration of every youngster who made it to the finish line is a positive reflection of the role this event plays in local communities.
“We want to give children the tools they need to lead a healthy lifestyle and most importantly open doors to new sports for the UAE’s youth. Hopefully some of today’s young competitors will return to compete in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon in years to come,” he said.
For those wanting to cheer on their friends and family members at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon race on Saturday, there will be a Fans Village on the Corniche East Plaza, filled with action-packed activities, money-can’t-buy giveaways and tonnes of prizes to be won all day on Saturday. In addition to all the race action, stilt walkers, zumba instructors and capoeira (Brazilian martial art) performers will be on hand throughout the day to entertain kids and adults alike.
