Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Palace's magnificent beach acted as the exciting starting point for the inaugural $250,000 (Dh917,998) Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) that was held last week.
The ADIT route was designed to be spectator-friendly. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), organisers of the event, introduced a relay element for the 111.5km-event, where a team of three could each take on a single discipline.
The ADIT routes took contestants past several Abu Dhabi landmarks. The opening swim took place in the Emirates Palace Hotel lagoon while the cycling leg passed some iconic sights such as the Shaikh Zayed Mosque and the emirate's signature Corniche.
More than 800 professional and amateur triathletes from five continents took part in the first Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) — making it the strongest line-up for a major triathlon in 2010.
Hans Olbertz, Emirates Palace general manager, said it was a great honour that the ADTA had chosen the Emirates Palace beach to flag off the one-day world event.
