This is a preview of the race – click here to read about wins for Jonas Schomburg and Katrine Græsbøll Christensen.

This weekend sees what has quickly become one of the most distinctive races in global triathlon and it now acts as something of a curtain-raiser for the new season.

Challenge Sir Bani Yas will feature racing across the long, middle, and Olympic distances plus community events for over 4,500 age group athletes, while a large pro field of 90 plus athletes lines up for the middle-distance race.

It takes place on Sir Bani Yas Island, a natural island off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf, with the course passing through the island’s wildlife reserve, home to more than 17,000 free-roaming animals including giraffe and antelope, offering a race environment unique in the sport.

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Start times and how to follow live

The pro races at Challenge Sir Bani Yas take place on Saturday January 31 2026.

They start at 09:30 local time, which corresponds to 06:30 in the UK, 07:30 CET and 01:30 Eastern time (22:30 PST Saturday on the West Coast).

The newly-launched Challenge Family website will provide timing data, leaderboards, text updates, images and more so is the ideal way to follow it all unfold alongside the embedded live coverage below.

While the YouTube feed below will this year allow viewers to watch the action unfold, with commentary by Belinda Granger.

The course

In terms of the course, it can be summed up in one word – breathtaking.

Located off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas is one of the eight Al Dhafra desert islands but it’s not just about the sweeping beaches and azure-blue waters.

For there’s also lush greenery, imposing salt dome mountains and ancient archaeological sites. And over half of the island is home to one of the region’s largest wildlife reserves, where Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs roam.

The swim takes place in a protected location on the southeast of the Island, with calm waters and little in the way of swell and it’s one lap for the pros.

The bike course is arguably a bit more than “rolling” with a total elevation gain of 654 metres over the two laps but the run course is fast and flat, with the two laps taking athletes through the heart of the race village and along the coastal road before heading out towards the tranquillity of the lagoon.

Pro Men

Defending champion Jonathan Guisolan (SUI) returns to lead the men’s field.

But he faces stiff competition from the likes of Jonas Schomburg (GER), runner-up at Challenge Roth last year and now in the top 10 of the world rankings.

Also there is Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) and Henri Schoeman (RSA), returning to the island for a second time and runner-up last week at the first-ever Samla 100 in the Qatari desert.

Pierre Le Corre (FRA), fourth at the Olympic Games in Paris and World Triathlon Long Distance Champion in 2022, makes his Challenge Family debut and Max Stapley (GBR) also lines up following a second-place finish at Challenge Samarkand last season.

Pro Women

The women’s professional race also features a competitive line-up led by Ellie Salthouse (AUS), winner of Challenge Samarkand in 2023, who returns after focusing on 100km distance racing last year.

Fenella Langridge (GBR) lines up following her return from a difficult injury.

Australia’s Natalie Van Coeverden enjoyed a consistent 2024 season with six middle-distance podium finishes, moving up to 29th place in the world ranking. She will be joined by Justine Mathieux (FRA), fifth at Challenge Roth, and Magda Nieuwoudt (RSA), a four-time Challenge Family winner.

Another woman to watch is Olympian Jolien Vermeylen (BEL) who will be taking on her first middle distance race following her impressive maiden Supertri win in 2025. She is also the current European Olympic and Sprint distance champion.

Cruise bonus

And it’s no wonder there are so many pros there as Challenge Sir Bani Yas has also taken the unprecedented step of supporting every professional athlete, regardless of their global ranking, with full board accommodation. This will be provided over three days on the event’s cruise ship, triathlon’s only floating hotel and race hub. This commitment provides opportunity for up-and-coming professionals to gain international experience racing a world-class field and event.

“Middle Eastern hospitality is legendary and the team at ADNEC, organisers of Challenge Sir Bani Yas, are no exception,” says Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam.

“Their commitment to athlete experience truly echoes Challenge Family’s DNA where every athlete matters. Each athlete, whether ranked in the top 10 or top 300, will receive the same inclusive Challenge Sir Bani Yas welcome, while being part of one of the most extraordinary race experiences on the international circuit. Where else can you sleep on a floating hotel at a beachfront race village with a course that includes giraffe, cheetah and antelope as spectators!”