2011 Abu Dhabi International Trieathlon Field Doubled (07.07.2010)

New Sprint Courses To Increase Mid East Uptake

Building on the outstanding success of this year’s inaugural US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, organisers are seeking to attract more than 1,500 international athletes from across the globe, including 75 world elites, to the 2011 edition, virtually doubling the field.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the event, has also launched a unique ‘sprint’ distance as an entry platform for aspiring athletes. Comprising a 750m swim, 50kms bike and 5kms run, the new ‘sprint’ is aimed at boosting uptake from novice racers across the Arabian Gulf and can be raced as an individual or as a team.

The adrenaline-pumping event, running 12^th March 2011 in the United Arab Emirates’ capital, retains its testing 223kms ‘pure power’ course and will take in a host of Abu Dhabi city sights, including the Yas Marina Circuit, home to November’s Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Its second 111.5kms route, which can be run as a team relay, is again featured, with both distances open to elites and amateurs.

“The debut Abu Dhabi International Triathlon raised the bar for world-beating performance athletic events, with a stunning field that represented six continents, its signature racing distances and a course that weaved throughout Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmarks. We now want to build on it for 2011,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, ADTA.

“The addition of a shorter, more accessible course for next year opens up the sport to a far greater audience and allows those wanting to get into triathlon but who may have felt overwhelmed by the physical enormity of the longer distances, an opportunity to be part of one of the world’s fastest growing sports and compete with the elite.

“We are also looking to enhance the entire experience through increased television coverage, finish line family activities and community engagement. We want Abu Dhabi to be a destination that triathletes train and compete in as well as enjoy with families and friends.”

The debut edition, held last March, boasted more than 800 athletes from 30 countries, in what was one of the best competitive fields outside Hawaii’s Ironman World Championship – the sport’s pinnacle event. In addition, more than 340 regionally-based athletes from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE also took part.

Spain’s Eneko Llanos and Great Britain’s Julie Dibens, who emerged victorious last March, have both thrown their weight behind the 2011 campaign.

“Racing in Abu Dhabi is a great excuse to escape the winter, to somewhere hot and exotic, and also to stay motivated throughout the winter months.  Whether you are looking to race the long distance, or are a novice racing for the first time, Abu Dhabi is a highlight of triathlon,” said Dibbens, an Ironman 70.3 and Xterra Triathlon World Champion and 70.3 distance world record holder.

Llanos, who came from behind to win the 223kms Abu Dhabi race after beating a host of world favourites to finish with a combined time of 6h34m37, nearly a minute ahead of second placed Dirk Bockel from Luxembourg, has also thrown down the gauntlet to would-be challengers.

“Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is a first class experience.  For anyone looking for the next step in triathlon racing, Abu Dhabi is a spectacular and world-class event,” said the 33-year-old Hawaii Ironman top 10 finisher.

The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon format, with a finishing running leg shorter than typical Ironman events, allows athletes to recover faster and compete more often – a factor which contributed to the event’s international triathlon community success. Hype surrounding the debut event grew quickly with US-based Triathlete magazine, the world's largest triathlon publication, tipping it as the ‘most hotly anticipated new race in 2010’.

Faris Al Sultan, captain of ADTA’s Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team, believes the event more than lived up to its ‘instant classic’ billing and will be a key driver in establishing the emirate as a highly-sought after winter training destination.

“Abu Dhabi really has it all, the weather, great facilities and strong backing from the government that wants to give back to the sporting community. We have already hosted a number of training sessions for athletes in the emirate, and the feedback has been extremely positive. With the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon being perfectly positioned as the season-opening race, you can be sure more and more athletes will use it as a base throughout the off season,” said Al Sultan, who finished in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon top 10.

Next year’s event will be raced across three lengths. Professionals will be tested across a 3kms swim, followed by a 200kms cycle and finished with a 20kms running leg. The shorter version, at half the length, has a 1.5kms swim, a 100kms cycle and a 10kms run, with both eligible for a share of the US$250,000 prize purse. The new sprint distance will have its own prize pool.

Sign-up for the 2011 edition has been strong, with more than 250 athletes pre-registered. Places are charged at US$150 for the long-distance and US$96 for the shorter event prior to December 1^st 2010. Prices after December 1^st will increase to US$180 and US$123 for the long and short distances respectively. The team relay short course entry fee stands at US$272, and the sprint fee will be US$70 for individuals, US$112 for a team.

Athletes interested in entering should visit www.abudhabitriathlon.com and, after clicking on the ENTER NOW link, simply follow the instructions. Registration is now live for the 2011 edition.