ITU Triathlon Abu Dhabi: All you need to know

The ITU World Triathlon starts this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Between March 4 and 5 the world’s most advanced triathletes will endure the heat as they ride, run and swim around the UAE’s capital.

When Friday March 4 to Saturday March 5

Where The de facto main base for the triathlon will be the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club on the Breakwater opposite the Corniche, next to Marina Mall

How much Spectating is free

A triathlon is an endurance event across three disciplines: running, cycling, and swimming. Further, there are three differing categories aimed at different levels of ability. The Maxi distance is by far the toughest.

Sprint distance  500m swim, 20km bike and 5km run

Olympic distance 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

Maxi distance  1500m swim, 80km bike, 20km run

The Elite Course map

Starting at the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club, the course will comprise of two laps in a clockwise direction. The first lap will be 1000m followed by a second lap of 500m. The average water temperature at this time of the year is approximately 22 Celsius. 

The cycle course will comprise multiple laps, with each lap passing through the race village in front of the 1000 seater grand stand. Riders head past the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village and around the famous Abu Dhabi flag pole before heading back into the city towards the Corniche. The riders will go as far as Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed St. Lap one is 13km, followed by six shorter lap loops. Total cycle distance is 40km.

Consisting of four laps of 2.5km, the course will start at the grandstand in the race village. The first landmark is the Heritage Village and famous flag. Runners will then head along Theatre Road to the second turning point located just outside the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club.

A race village has been set up at the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. It features a 1,000-seater grandstand, bike park, ‘Friends and Family’ area, refreshment kiosks and a kids zone. The elite event will feature a ‘swim start’ off the Volvo Ocean Race yacht pontoons with the top men and women on the ITU World Series rankings competing for line honours in the opening event of the 2016 season.

Parking Parking is available at Marina Mall, but it is expected to get very busy and will certainly be affected by road closures Taxi You are best advised to travel to the Corniche by taxi.

Roads will be closed at certain points over the weekend. The Corniche will be affected. If you are driving in Abu Dhabi this weekend then you are advised to avoid the area at all costs.

Theatre Road (red): Friday 9am to Saturday 7pm

18th Street to 2nd Street (green): Saturday 2.30pm to 7pm

2nd Street to Saadiyat Island junction (blue): Saturday 2.30pm to 3pm

This map details the road closures in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Road closures will be in place over the weekend

Website ITU Abu Dhabi Twitter @WTS_AbuDhabi  Facebook WTS Abu Dhabi