More than 1,200 athletes have already signed up for the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi which returns next month and you can join them with registration closing in less than two weeks time.
The triathlon series season opener will feature 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 on March 5.
Open to all fitness levels, there are three categories to choose from: Sprint (500m swim, 20km cycle followed by a 5km run), Olympic (1,500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) or for those who want to test themselves further then you have the Maxi event (1,500m swim, 80km cycle, 20km run).
Many athletes will begin Olympic preparation in Abu Dhabi.
The course will see you start from the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, then cycle along the Corniche Road before entering the transition zone for the final running leg.
With the competition having competitors from around the world including Argentina, Australia, Japan and Brazil, race director Gary Marescia insists it will be a memorable occasion.
“This event is particularly important for the world’s top triathletes as it marks the start of an Olympic season and it is one of only three WTS events where Olympic qualifying points are on offer,” he said.
“Consequently, we could see a number of elites make their national qualifying mark for Rio here in Abu Dhabi. 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”.
And it’s no surprise there has been a lot of interest with host partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) saying 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 nationalities – have chosen to test themselves against the same distance as the World Triathlon Series elite stars,” explained Ahmed 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”.
Children can also be part of the action in the World Triathlon Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon and Aquathlon on March 4.
Aimed to get youngsters active, there are three entry categories: ‘Tiny Triathlete’ – a 50m swim and a 100m run, open for five to eight-year-olds, ‘Junior Aquathlon’ distance featuring a 200m swim and 1.5km run, for nine-15 years, and ‘Junior Triathlon Super Sprint’ – 375m swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run, for 11 to 17 years.
What: World Triathlon Abu Dhabi Junior Triathlon and Aquathlon, and ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi
Where: Various locations across Abu Dhabi
When: Junior Triathlon on March 4 and World Triathlon on March 5
Contact: For more information and to sign up, visit www.abudhabi.triathlon.org