ABU DHABI // The capital’s annual triathlon will be held next year, but with a new host and a new race format.
The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon will be replaced by a new event that forms part of the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series and will be hosted by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council on March 6 and 7 on the Corniche.
A Facebook post had caused some confusion on Friday when the triathlon announced it was coming to an end and that there would be a new event.
Online registration had opened in October for the new event, which is now associated with a series of races in 10 locations, including Auckland, Cape Town, London and Chicago.
The new race has three course options, including a more challenging long-distance format, said Iain Banner, the event director.
The Sprint race comprises a 0.5km swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, while the Olympic event is a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. The Maxi race has a 2km swim, 80km cycle and 20km run.
The Sprint swim was shortened to 500m rather than 750m as in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon to make it achievable for first-time competitors, Mr Banner said.
Last year 2,400 athletes from 100 countries took part in the triathlon.
More details are available online at abudhabi.triathlon.org.
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