DUBAI// Even as the first rays of the morning sun broke cover above the horizon, dozens of runners, cyclists and horse riders were already competing in a new sport that combined all three disciplines for the first time.
In the still, dry desert air, hundreds of people had gathered to be a part of history by taking part in the inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon.
It took place at Dubai International Endurance City near the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa at about 6.30am yesterday.
Triathlons traditionally involve swimming, cycling and running, but the event organisers, Dubai Sports Council and Meydan, replaced the swimming component with equestrian endurance race instead.
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa topped the podium. He is the chairman of Bahrain’s Supreme Council of Youth and Sport and the Bahrain Olympic Committee.
Speaking to The National after the award ceremony, he said he was delighted to have taken part.
“I’ve been doing triathlons and iron man competitions for about a year but this is a unique event,” he said.
“Usually in a triathlon there is a swimming section but that was replaced by horse endurance and I think it made for a very unique event.”
The event was split into individual and team categories.
The contest started with a 5 kilometredesert run, followed by a 25km cycle race and ended with a 40km endurance horse race.
Around 50 triathletes competed in the individual contest, with 162 teams of three people per team taking part in the team category.
More than 1,000 people attended the event to support those taking part including Hollywood actor Tyrese Gibson.
Donal Kilalea, the event organiser, said he was delighted at how the inaugural competition went.
“We have had a fantastic response with around 162 teams taking part and more than 1,000 people watching an attending the competition,” he said.
“Nothing like this has ever been done in the Middle East and we hope that it is the start of a whole new sport in this country and further afield.”
The length of the horse race section was initially set at 40km then reduced to 25km but then set at the original 40km eventually.
“There are strict rules that we have to abide by to make sure the horses are safe and are not put at risk and we have done that for this event,” he said.
Those taking part are already looking forward to next year’s event.
Aline Jacobs, 13, from Belgium, competed in the team competition as a horse rider and was one of the youngest competitors.
“I’m really happy with how it went,” she said.
“I’ve done endurance horse riding before but this was the first time I have done anything like this.
“I think we did pretty well and got into the top ten.”
She said she had done three weeks of training before the competition and was looking forward to taking part again next year.
“I had been training with my horse for a few weeks before the event and I think we worked well together.”
Abdullah Al Bulooshi, 23, an Emirati from Dubai took part in the cycling leg of the team contest.
“I decided to take part with some friends as I’m regular cyclist and wanted to test myself in an event,” he said.
Next year he wants to participate in the equestrian section of the event.
Another Emirati, Hessa Al Shamsi, 27, had one of the fastest times at 40 minutes for her horse endurance section.
“We usually tend to go on longer distances for endurance racing but to see it combined with the running and the cycling was really interesting,” she said.
Her secret was to vary the pace of her horse during the race rather than race as fast as possible from the start.
“That’s the best way as it doesn’t tire the horse out and you can perform at a good speed.”
nhanif@thenational.ae
