The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) is on track to be bigger and better in 2011 with new sponsors and more participants already registered than the inaugural 2010 event.
946 triathletes from 43 countries have signed-up to compete in the second year of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon which will return to United Arab Emirates’ capital city on 12 March 2011. From the Gold Coast of Australia to Vancouver Island Canada and Copenhagen Denmark word has spread of the ‘instant classic’, the unique distance, the US$250,000 prize purse and the thrill of racing on the Yas Marina F1 track*.
New sponsors GU Energy and Rotana Hotels are excited to be involved with the event and bring new products and benefits to competitors and support crew. GU Energy will distribute nutrition products on course with high performance gels and bars while Rotana’s newest Abu Dhabi hotel, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, will be taking event bookings as early as next week. They join returning sponsors 2XU, Gatorade and CNN.
Competitors will again have the option of tackling the long and short distance courses; however in an attempt to open up the sport to UAE locals and other budding triathlon enthusiasts, a sprint distance has been added to the day’s proceedings.
Distances as follows;
- Long distance (3km Swim, 200km Bike, 20km Run)
- Short distance (1.5km Swim, 100km Bike, 10km Run)
- New Abu Dhabi sprint distance (750m Swim, 50km Bike, 5km Run)
- Team relay for short distance and sprint distance
ADIT’s opening swim leg takes place in the lagoon of the iconic Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels. The cycling section will take athletes past some of the destination’s most iconic sights including Emirates Palace 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 2010 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where triathletes will compete on the same circuit as many of the world’s top race drivers.
1,500 places are available for the ADIT, charged at US$150 for the long-distance and US$96 for the shorter event prior to December 31st 2010. Prices after December 31st will increase to US$180 and US$123 for the long and short distances respectively. The team relay entrance fee stands at US$272.
Places are filling fast, athletes interested in entering this unique race should visit the ADIT website, www.abudhabitriathlon.com, and then after clicking on the ENTER NOW link, simply follow the instructions. Elites interested in competing should make contact with Daisy Bannerman (details below).
*Long and short course only
