Dubai: The inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon has generated growing interest and a late rush on entries has seen the start list swell from 120 to 210 teams as of Thursday.
The event, which will take place on Saturday, is the result of a partnership between Dubai Sports Council and Meydan, and will bring together the sport of endurance horse riding with the triathlon disciplines of running and cycling.
The runners will set off at 6am in a mass start and, after completing a 5km desert trail run, will change to the cycling leg of 25 kilometres on the Dubai Cycle track. The final leg will be a 40-km endurance horse ride.
One of the UAE’s top triathletes, Olivier Godart, who recently won the 2014 TriYAS by Activelife and Nissan Triathlon at Atlantis, has entered the cycling and running legs of the event.
“I am very excited to be taking part in this event, as it’s never been done before and the new format interests me. It sits nicely with the local angle. Riding is so important to the Emiratis and it’s going to be great to participate in this event which is bringing triathlon and horse riding together. It’s something really different,” Godart said.
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council, athletes will compete in various categories, including fastest overall individual triathlete; fastest team; fastest cyclist; fastest runner; and best conditioned horse in the male, female and junior sections.
A triathlon village has been set up close to the transition and finish areas to allow spectators to catch the action as teams battle it out for honours at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), which is located next to the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.
Spectators will have plenty to occupy them with catering and entertainment from 7am until noon, including a circus workshop for children, face-painting and balloon art, and entertainment on the lawns by jugglers, stilt walkers, acrobats and unicyclists.
