DUBAI – More than 2,000 athletes representing 57 nationalities have registered for the third edition of the Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend, which will take place from Nov. 13 to 15 at Al Mamzar.
Supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council, the event will move to Al Mamzar for the first time as the T100 Race to Qatar enters its closing stages.
More than a third of those registered have competed in previous editions, underlining the event’s growing appeal among participants returning to Dubai for another triathlon weekend. Last year’s event attracted more than 3,000 triathletes and more than 15,000 spectators.
For the first time, the amateur programme will feature an Olympic-distance triathlon comprising a 1.5-kilometre swim, a 40-kilometre bike ride and a 10-kilometre run. The programme will also offer relay options for both the Olympic and Sprint distances.
The Sprint event comprises a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride and a 5-kilometre run, while the 100-kilometre race features a 2-kilometre swim, an 80-kilometre bike ride and an 18-kilometre run.
Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), said the strong registration figures reflect the growing momentum behind the event. He added that the move to Al Mamzar would provide a single venue for the entire race weekend.
Renouf said the addition of the Olympic distance and relay options would broaden participation and provide more opportunities for athletes to take part. He also said the professional competition would feature leading female triathletes as the T100 Race to Qatar approaches its conclusion.
The professional race in Dubai will be contested exclusively by women this year under the revised T100 competition format. Twenty of the world’s leading female professional triathletes are expected to compete, with the final line-up due to be announced in the coming weeks.
The men’s and women’s professional fields will come together for the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, which will take place from Dec. 10 to 12.
Organisers are also encouraging more Emirati women and girls to participate across the Sprint, Olympic, relay and 100-kilometre events. The expanded amateur programme is intended to provide participants with a range of distances and formats, allowing athletes to choose an event suited to their level and interests.
The Dubai T100 will form part of the 10th edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 29 under the 30×30 initiative.
Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council, said the Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend had become an important fixture on Dubai’s sporting calendar. He added that its move to Al Mamzar would showcase another distinctive area of the emirate to international audiences.
Hareb said the event reflects the objectives of Dubai Fitness Challenge by combining world-class competition with opportunities for people of different ages and abilities to participate in sport.
The move to Al Mamzar will bring the various elements of the race weekend together at one location, while giving spectators an opportunity to follow the competition and support participants throughout the event.
Spectator entry to Al Mamzar will be free throughout the race weekend.
