Inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon set to roll

(MENAFN-Arab News) In another first for Dubai a new sporting event was launched Monday. In what could also be a world first, the Dubai Desert Triathlon is the latest event to be introduced and is sure to attract great interest and support from sports enthusiasts

Presented by the Dubai Sports Council, the inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon will showcase a unique combination of two of the traditional triathlon disciplines, running and cycling, in unison with an endurance horse ride.

The event, which will take place April 19 at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), is to feature competitors from across the region eager to be a part of a new experience. Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) is a 40-minute drive from Dubai next to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa

The event will kick off at 6 a.m. with an endurance horse ride of a 25km loop, followed by a 25km cycling stage on the Dubai Cycle Path, then a 5km desert run through the spectacular desert and finishing in the Dubai Endurance City.

Entry is 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, provided that horse riders are registered endurance riders with a horse. Men and women, and juniors (16-18yrs), who would like to compete in a team but do not have their own are may enter in their discipline or disciplines of choice (cycling, running or horse riding) and will be linked 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.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest team, fastest cyclist, fastest runner and best conditioned horse in the categories of male, female and juniors. In addition, there will be prizes for the fastest triathlete who competes in all three disciplines, also in the categories of male, female and juniors, but to be eligible for this the person 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. Entries will open on March 11 at www.dubaideserttriathalon.com for all runners, cyclists, teams and qualified desert triathletes

Nasser Al Rahmah, director of Sports Events Department at Dubai Sports Council, said Monday ?The Dubai Desert Triathlon is an innovative concept that combines endurance riding, the heritage sport of Dubai, with cycling and off road running. 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.

The Dubai Desert Triathlon is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Sports Council.