Abu Dhabi: Triathlon training grounds and events are slowly becoming the new social hubs as the sport’s popularity continues to grow across the UAE at a phenomenal rate.
“We meet up at least once a week and train together for four to five hours. Some people bring food, cakes and drinks for everyone and we hang out after our training session. Sometimes our partners or children join in, we travel abroad together for races, it’s a lot of fun,” said Michael John, a 35-year-old triathlete from the Philippines.
“I really enjoy the training sessions in our group, you are challenging yourself and spending your time in a very healthy way,” said Abdulrahman Al Hosani, a 31-year-old Emirati from Abu Dhabi.
“It is a great way to make sure you have a group of friends away from work so you don’t end up sitting around and talking about work all the time,” said Russ Fraser, a 44-year-old triathlete from the UK.
Triathlon entails a swim, cycle and run, all in the same event, which makes it one of the toughest and most challenging sports to take part in. One of its most famous events is called The Ironman and its intensity is evident in the title.
So what is it that is drawing so many people to this extreme sport in the UAE?
“I think a lot of it has to do with the types of people that come into the region and generally the people in the Middle East like to be challenged,” said Daniel Hughes, president of the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Club.
Hughes said the nature of the sport attracts people from all nationalities, age groups and backgrounds, which help bring different communities together. He added as a majority of people who enter the events competitively train for over six months in groups or travel abroad together for races, a certain bond is formed among them along with long-lasting friendships.
“It brings that strong community spirit, that’s an amazing experience,” said Hughes.
While the TriYas by Daman Active Life saw its sixth edition in Abu Dhabi this year, international events such as ITU World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi and the Ironman in Dubai have also been added to the UAE calendar in the last two years, — a move that Hughes said has definitely helped grow this community in the country.
The evidence of the growth is clear as his club has grown from around 30-40 people to over 500 people who have shown interest in just a few years.
There are even children participating and training for triathlons — this year’s TriYas had over 150 children participants.
“At the end, they get the same medal as mum and dad, it is very family friendly.”
Hughes said the UAE’s development of facilities that support the sport have also been key in seeing the sport’s community grow so rapidly across all ages and nationalities.
Michael On, 35-year-old from the Philippines lives in Abu Dhabi. On was into dragon boat racing but in 2013 a friend, who knew that he liked challenges, introduced him to triathlon. Since then he has participated in many races in the UAE and abroad.
“Triathlon was the ultimate challenge for me, I wanted to really push myself and see what I can achieve.”
He said it is a great way of meeting people who have the same interest, being challenged.
“It is also a great way of connecting with the Filipina sports people and compete against each other.”
He said the summer heat does not affect his training as they just adjust their meeting time to early morning. “The heat separates the sane from the insane. That’s what this sport is all about, pushing yourself and your boundaries.”
On thinks another reason for the growth of the sport is the development of more bike and equipment stores as well as facilities which have made accessibility to the sport much easier.
“When I started over three years ago, I didn’t see the same things as I am (seeing) now. There was only a couple of bike shops and you had to order most things online. So those who are starting now are much luckier,” he said.
Abdulrahman Al Hosani, 31-year-old Emirati, Abu Dhabi resident
Al Hosani was a football trainer who was injured and could not return to football but in 2012 he found a new interest in triathlon and was able to become very competitive. He has now competed in over 30 races locally and internationally.
“I started it out for fun and enjoyment but now it is more about competing and proving myself, giving my best each time.”
According to Al Hosani, when he first started, there were only a handful of Emiratis across the country who did triathlon but he said the scene has completely changed.
“Now a lot of people have signed up for training and more and more locals are getting involved.”
He said the introduction of international triathlon events in the UAE has been instrumental in attracting more locals to the sport.
Mohammad Al Sayegh, 30-year-old Emirati, Dubai resident
Al Sayegh was a horse rider who tried his hands at a desert triathlon event around three years ago. “It was running, cycling, and the swim was replaced with horse riding.”
Soon he decided to get involved in triathlons and started to train and some of his friends joined him in the adventure.
“I think it is a good way of challenging yourself. Every time you want to improve your time and your performance and do better. And you are with people who are the same as you.”
Russ Fraser, 44-year-old from UK, Abu Dhabi resident
Fraser started doing triathlons when he came to the UAE about seven years ago having not really competed in sports since school.
“It’s you against you, it is you proving yourself really, so I really liked that aspect of it.”
He said the social aspect of the sport and the country’s environment provide getting into triathlons really easy specially for the young people and children.
“Things like this really help bring the communities together and really bring sport into people’s minds at a very young age. My son is seven-years-old and he has already raced half a dozen races already. He loves it.”
“It (triathlon) is gone crazy. The sport worldwide has really taken off.”
