Abu Dhabi: Organisers of next month’s ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi are forecasting a sold-out event with over 1,200 athletes already signed up for the challenge which returns to the shores and roads of the UAE capital on March 4-5.
With just over two weeks left before online entries close at midnight on Friday, February 26, Host Partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) says the field is more than 60 per cent complete, with demand for Olympic distance competition slots running particularly high.
“Nearly half the committed entrants, representing some 65 different nationalities, have chosen to test themselves against the same distance as the World Triathlon Series elite stars,” explained Ahmad Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Marketing and Communications, ADSC. “Add to that the phenomenal interest shown in our other Sprint and Maxi categories, and we are left with only 600 places across all three distances, so interested athletes need to sign up fast”.
This year’s ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi will feature the best amateurs from across the region and the toughest world triathlon professionals, who will battle for opening round points in the prestigious ITU World Triathlon Series to kick-start their Olympic preparation season.
“This year’s event is particularly important for the world’s top triathletes as it marks the start of an Olympic season and is one of only three WTS events where Olympic qualifying points are on offer. Consequently, we could see a number of elites make their national qualifying mark for Rio here in Abu Dhabi,” Race Director, Gary Marescia, said. “This will be a once-in-a lifetime experience for Age Group athletes who will compete on the same course as our stellar line-up of world champions and Olympic medallists, many of whom will be heading to Rio this August.”
The Age Group races cater for all fitness levels by offering the following course options: Sprint (500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run), Olympic (1500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) and Maxi (1500m swim, 80km cycle, 20km run). Participants can enter any of these distances as an individual or as a team of friends, families or corporate colleagues.
Part of the top-tier ITU World Triathlon Series, Abu Dhabi has become a must-race event, according to organisers, for amateurs and professionals alike from all corners of the world, with entrants flying into the UAE capital from 44 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Japan, Korea, Brazil, USA and Mexico.
The event features one of the most picturesque and spectator-friendly courses on the ITU World Triathlon Series circuit.
On March 5, over 2,000 athletes will swim, bike and run on courses laid out entirely around Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, starting from the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club next to the UAE flag. Participants will have the opportunity to race along the Abu Dhabi Corniche Road during the bike section before entering the transition zone to start the final running leg of the race.
This year also sees the return of the World Triathlon Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon and Aquathlon, a fun event aimed at encouraging youngsters to get active. There are three entry categories: ‘Tiny Triathlete’ — a 50m swim and a 100m run (5-8 years), ‘Junior Aquathlon’ distance featuring a 200m swim and 1.5km run (9-15 years), and ‘Junior Triathlon Super Sprint’ which consists of a 375m swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run (11-17 years).
Online registrations for the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi are open to the public via the race website, www.AbuDhabi.Triathlon.org.
