Abu Dhabi: A five-member team from Abu Dhabi completed the gruelling Nations Triathlon in Washington DC as part of their training for next year’s TriYAS event at home and came away with impressive timings.

The Washington event, known as Nations Tri, which is twinned with Yas Marina Circuit’s own triathlon competition, saw the athletes take on a 1,500-metre swim in the Potomac River, a 40-kilometre cycle and a 10-kilometre run through the city.

Dr Marc Harrison, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who completed the race in one hour, 57 minutes and 11 seconds, said: “Participation in events such as the Nation’s Triathlon or the upcoming TriYAS is just one way to engage in healthy living.”

Joining Harrison on the trip were father-and-son team Peter and Paul Muller, as well as Danny Hughes, the president of Abu Dhabi Tri Club and Henk de Jager — all seasoned competitors. All members of the team came up with creditable performances.

Paul Mueller finished in 1:44:48, crossing the line first in his age group (18-24) and 25th overall. His father Peter posted a time of 2:21:28, coming 94th in his age group (50-54) and 1,167th overall. Hughes’ time of 1:56:58 secs saw him finishing 38th in his age group (35-39) and 1,316th overall. Henk De Jager took 1:52:42, finishing 5th in his age group (45-49) and 106th overall.

The group flew with Etihad Airways, who are hosting the Etihad Airways Tri Club Challenge in which triathlon clubs from around the world compete for the chance to win an exclusive trip package including two round-trip flight tickets, a three-night stay in Abu Dhabi and entry into the TriYAS triathlon on February 20 next year.

The Nations Tri race was a perfect opportunity for participants to prepare for the fifth edition of TriYAS, which will take place at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit. Open to all fitness levels, registrations for this world-class competition at the circuit are now open. To assist in preparation, the circuit is running its TriYAS by Activelife training programme, which helps first-timers prepare for the event with an eight-week programme involving swimming, cycling, running and core exercises with tips from triathlon experts.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Nations Tri,” said Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, the home venue of TriYAS. “It’s a great way to bridge our two capital cities and, just as our own competitors have travelled to DC, we look forward to welcoming Nations Tri competitors to our TriYAS event in February 2015.”