Dubai: Hessa Bint Eisa Bu Humaid, Minister of Community Development, saluted the spirit of the contestants in the second Dubai Women’s Triathlon after presenting the winners with their medals.
Organised by the Women’s Sports Committee of the Dubai Sports Council in association with the Dubai Ladies Club, the second edition of the women-only triathlon attracted 324 participants of different age and nationalities, including People of Determination and 121 Emiratis.
Irishwoman Deirdre Casey, a veteran of more than 50 triathlons, took the top honours in the Olympic Standard race with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds, Great Britain’s Helen O’Neile clocked 1 hour, 11 minutes and 28 seconds to top the charts in the Sprint Race, while Venezuela’s Joselyn Brea was fastest in the Super Sprint Open Category with a time of 35 minutes and 42 seconds. In the Super Sprint race for Emirati nationals, Wafa Hasher finished first.
“I am really pleased to see so many participants of different nationalities take part,” said Bu Humaid. “Their enthusiasm is really infectious and I am confident that in the years to come, this event will become one of the best with a great number of participants.
“Organising such events for women is really important because the importance of sports and physical activity cannot be understated. It is crucial for the health, happiness and wellbeing of our society.”
The organising committee will donate all the proceeds from the event to Al Jalila Foundation’s iMcan programme to help women who have lost their limbs get prosthesis.
