- Relay Element To Widen Appeal to Aspiring Athletes & Corporates
Abu Dhabi -
More than 260 athletes from 25 countries have signed up for the inaugural US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) to be held this March – within just a month of the event launch.
Aimed at attracting up to 1,000 triathletes, including the world’s top 50, ADIT has already secured competitors from Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, Americas, North Africa, the Far East, Russia and Africa – a clear indication of ADIT’s global appeal.
“We are highly encouraged by the tremendous interest from both amateur and professional athletes. The event, on March 13
th, will be a landmark on the international triathlon calendar. It will unite triathletes from around the world in one of the most exciting destinations imaginable,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Head - Major Events Division, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
Primed to be an ‘instant classic’, the adrenaline-pumping ADIT will boast two unique lengths, a testing 223kms ‘pure power’ course and a second 111.5kms route, which can be run as a team relay event. Both distances are open to elites and amateurs, a key facet in the event’s broad appeal.
A first-of-its-kind format, with a finishing running leg shorter than typical Ironman events, will allow athletes to recover faster and compete more often – a factor which has been identified as crucial to international triathlon community success.
And to enhance the accessibility of the event, ADTA has introduced a relay element for the 111.5kms route, where a team of three can each take on a single discipline choosing the 1.5kms swim, a 100kms cycle or a 10kms run, which it believes will be perfect for aspiring athletes and corporate involvement.
“The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon was designed to be accessible to all levels and to engage the community fully, whether seasoned pros or those determined to get really fit. The relay option helps achieve that goal. It is a great team building initiative, and is suitable for companies and organisations looking to promote health and fitness or a group of friends wanting to try something new,” added Al Sheikh.
Both ADIT routes will take in a host of Abu Dhabi city landmarks with the event’s opening swim leg taking place in the lagoon of the hallmark Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and the cycling section passing some of the destination’s most iconic sights including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest, and along Abu Dhabi’s signature Corniche - all under the safety of completely closed roads.
The route will then go east of the city over Saadiyat Island, the 27 square kilometre natural island which is 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, and on to the destination’s emerging entertainment hub of Yas Island - home to the highly successful 2009 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where they will compete on the same circuit as many of the world’s top race drivers.
The athletes will then run back to the Corniche through the Heritage Village to the west of the city.
Some 1,000 places are available for the inaugural ADIT, charged at US$180 and US$123 for the long and short distances respectively. For further information and to register for ADIT, please go to
www.abudhabitriathlon.com
