Abu Dhabi: First-time triathletes are being urged to sign up for TriYAS by Daman’s ActiveLife after registration opened on Tuesday.

Some 1,500 people of different ages and abilities are expected to take part in the seventh edition of the swim, cycle and run at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on February 17, 2017. With limited spaces available, organisers are urging competitors to register soon or risk missing out.

From today until December 31, early-bird registration prices for UAE residents will be available to participants, with discounts of up to 20 per cent on standard rates. There are also discounts for triathlon club members and International Triathlon Union (ITU) participants, while kids will be refunded their entire registration fee provided they take part.

TriYAS is considered the biggest entry-level triathlon in the region – with more than a third of the 1,500 racers in TriYAS 2016 being first-time triathletes. Every effort is taken to ensure racers are prepared for their big day, from a dedicated 12-week, pre-event triathlon fitness programme and a series of instructional videos by former champions, to detailed race briefings and a night before pasta party.

Al Tareq Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “Our mission every year is to help competitors get in the best possible shape so they can focus on setting and achieving their personal goals. That goal can be everything from standing on the winners’ podium, to beating your previous best to simply completing a hugely rewarding physical challenge and picking up your medal.

“This year we are making a considerable effort to encourage children to take part in KidsTRI by refunding the registration fee for any child who participates, as well as having dedicated youth ambassadors, youth training groups and bikes available for use. The young generation has a safe, traffic-free facility at their disposal – we want to encourage them to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”

“TriYAS provides hundreds of members of the UAE community with the opportunity to channel their health and fitness goals into a single event,” added Dr. Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman. “This, in turn, we hope will encourage them on to continue with a healthier, more active lifestyle, as we continue to change mindsets towards health, fitness and nutrition, leading us to our goal of creating healthy communities across the country. Last year we saw increased numbers of Emiratis and expatriates alike compete in the triathlon; we’re hopeful to see numbers increase once again for all nationalities in the 2017 edition.

“We are delighted to once again support this exciting event that has quickly become one of the key fitness motivators in the region, and we are confident that all our ActiveLife events will continue to develop the community’s health year on year.”

TriYAS by Daman’s ActiveLife includes two distances for adults: the Olympic category, with a 1,500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike race and 10-kilometre run and the shorter Sprint category, involving a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike course and 5-kilometre run.

TriYAS will include KidsTRI for children aged between (9-16 years) to test themselves over a 50-metre swim, 6-kilometre cycle and a 1.5-kilometre run. The UAE’s only twilight triathlon also includes a women-only category and a star-studded professional field.

Participants will be able take advantage of a seven-week training programme provided by Haddins Fitness. TriYAS Personal Performance mentors will also be posting training tips, video content and responding to tweeted queries.

Entrants will be encouraged to share their own personal stories of their training experiences across social media, using the hashtag #TriYAS in a bid to spur others on.

To register for TriYAS, visit www.yasmarinarcircuit.com.