The popular TriYAS returns in the new year, this time with an increased field to encourage participants of all ages and abilities.
The 2016 edition, brought to the nation’s capital by Daman’s ActiveLife, will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on February 26.
After being sold out every year, TriYAS has opened up the upcoming event to 1,700 people in an effort to allow more kids, first-timers and experienced triathletes to compete.
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Various distances will be available for adults, while exclusive races will be offered for children and women. The actions kicks off at Yas Marina, where competitors will swim before hopping on a cycle and finally running around the Formula One track.
“The health community is delighted that triathlons are becoming more and more mainstream, allowing thousands of men, women, and children to take part every year in a rewarding challenge that boosts fitness,” said Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit.
“It is extremely important for us to encourage local communities of all ages to become more active by taking part in Abu Dhabi’s rich line-up of health and fitness programmes, of which TriYAS now in its sixth year is one of the standout events every year.”
Adults can race in either the Olympic category, featuring a 1,500-metre swim, a 40-kilometre cycle and a 10km run, or the shorter Sprint, a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.
KidsTRI, for children aged nine to 17, will have a 200m swim, a 10km cycle and a 1.5km run, while a female-only category will be available for women.
In the lead-up to the event, participants can get in shape through an eight-week training programme at Yas Marina Circuit and receive Personal Performance tips and motivations from two-time champion and TriYAS Performance Mentor Olivier Godart.
Godart, who has competed in TriYAS since 2010 and will be in the professional category for 2016, will post videos with training tips and answer questions on Twitter through the hashtag #TriYAS.
Godart said: “Just by thinking about TriYAS, my heart is racing at 150bpm. TriYAS is racing at its purest, full throttle – it’s red line all the time.
"I know all of you can’t wait either. I am very excited to be the TriYAS Performance Mentor and look forward to encouraging more people into the sport of triathlon.”
Registration for TriYAS can be done at www.yasmarinacircuit.com and participants will have their BMI index and other data measured on the day of the event, as part of the circuit’s ‘Big Data’ health audit.
The information collected will help in planning future health strategies to reach the residents of the UAE. This past year saw the BMI at TriYAS average 23.9 with a total of 3.4 billion calories burnt during the race.
What: TriYAS 2016
Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
When: Friday, February 26, 2016
Contact: Visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com to sign up and for more information