Dubai Sports Council has introduced the Dubai Desert Triathlon, a unique competition that consists of running, cycling and an endurance horse ride.

In an event not to miss, organisers are encouraging people to get themselves registered fast as the deadline is Monday, April 7.

Taking place on Saturday, April 19, at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), the event is expected to attract great interest and support from competitors across the region who will be eager to be a part of a new experience.

The event will kick off early in the morning, at 6am with a 25km cycling stage on the Dubai Cycle Path, followed by a 5km desert run through the desert, and ending with a 25km endurance horse ride loop in DIEC.

Entry is free and open to anyone interested in participating in any or all of the three disciplines, as an individual triathlete or as a member of a team. The only requirement is that horse riders are registered endurance riders.

Men and women, and juniors (aged between 16 and 18-yearolds), who would like to compete in a team but are not part of any, are encouraged to enter in their discipline of choice (cycling, running or horse riding), and they will be joined with other entrants to form a team of similar ability.

Event partner Meydan will assist entrants by linking cyclists and runners with fully registered endurance riders and horses.

The prize ceremony will take place around 9am. Awards will be given to the fastest team, cyclist, runner and best conditioned horse in the male, female and junior categories.

In addition, there will be prizes awarded for the fastest triathlete who competes in all three disciplines in the male, female and junior categories.

However, to be eligible for this, the participant must be a fully-licensed rider with a horse. As this is the first event of its kind, entries are limited based on the number of licensed horses available.

Nasser Al Rahmah, Director of Sports Events Department at Dubai Sports Council is confident this event will grow in popularity.

“The Dubai Desert Triathlon is an innovative concept that combines endurance riding, the heritage sport of Dubai, with cycling and off road running,” he said.

“This is a new concept that will grow and become a popular event in the Middle East and beyond. It is another important step in the development of sport in Dubai.”

It promises to be an entertaining day with intense competition, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on participating in the first edition of the event.

What: The inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon
Where: Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC)
When: Saturday April 19
Contact: For registration visit http://register.dubaideserttriathlon.com. For enquiries telephone 04 3210008