IRONMAN 70.3 Oman – Friday 1st March 2019
The portfolio of IRONMAN races in the Middle East is to expand with news today that the Sultanate of Oman is to host a new IRONMAN 70.3 event in the capital city of Muscat.
That race will join the existing 70.3 events in Dubai and Bahrain.
Here is the full announcement from IRONMAN.
SULTANATE OF OMAN TO HOST NEW IRONMAN 70.3 EVENT
The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Oman to take place in Muscat, on March 1, 2019; In addition, 5i50 Oman to take place this year on November 18; General registration is now open
IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings company, together with Triathlon Middle East have announced the launch of IRONMAN® 70.3® Oman at a press conference today. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), the iconic triathlon competition will be held in the capital city of Muscat. Just as triathlon celebrates the fusion of swim, bike and run, the Sultanate of Oman fuses Middle Eastern culture with modernistic, western lifestyles, creating a perfect destination for IRONMAN 70.3 Oman. Muscat will also host its first ever 5i50™ triathlon this year, on November 18. The 1.5km (.93-miles) swim, 40km (24.8-mile) and 10k (6.21-mile) run is perfect preparation for athletes and beginners in the lead-up to the IRONMAN 70.3 event in 2019.
“It is with great pride that we announce the launch of IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon race in Oman,” said MoT Consultant of Tourism Affairs, Sayed Adil Al Busaidi. “It is our mission to make the Sultanate an obvious choice for international sports, as we believe the country has a lot to offer with enthralling beauty. Perfect weather awaits athletes as the warm desert heat is at bay during the cool season, leaving idyllic racing conditions that will entice both new and experienced triathletes. The country is well suited for holding events such as swimming, cycling, and running competitions.”
“We are excited to be in Oman and expanding the reach of the IRONMAN 70.3 and 5i50 brands within the Middle East, providing more opportunities for athletes to embrace the challenge and the fun of triathlon.” said IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa Managing Director, Stefan Petschnig.
Athletes competing in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 event will pass beautiful views of the port city as they complete a 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim, 90.1km (56-mile) bike ride and 21.1km (13.1-mile) run. The Arabian seas provide for a non-wetsuit swim, which will be held in the calm, clear waters beside the desirable suburb of Al Shatti in downtown Muscat.
Al Shatti is also the location of bike transition. Athletes will take on a bike route that likens a travel tour, passing all major monuments of Muscat including the Royal Opera House, Muttrah Gate and Cornish, the Al Bustan Palace and the enticingly fast Wadi Al Kabir Road. Speed-lovers are in for a treat with a cruise down the flat 18 November Street. The single transition in Al Shatti provides convenience for athletes and a hot spot for spectators who will line the four-lap run course encircling the Royal Opera House and Intercontinental Hotel complex.
“We are more than honored to host athletes from around the world to our beloved nation,” said Mohamed Al Obaidani, Race Director and Chief Executive Officer of Triathlon Middle East. “Triathlon is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic sports in the world, therefore, we want to bring the culture of triathlons and healthy lifestyle to Oman, aiming to make our nation prominent in this area.”
As supreme tests of physical and mental toughness, these races require both courage and determination, in addition to physical preparation. But the rewards are great: all finishers gain the sense of personal accomplishment, and for the fastest age groupers, IRONMAN 70.3 Oman will offer 30 qualifying slots for the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
General registration is now open at www.ironman.com/oman70.3 and www.ironman.com/5150oman. Athlete inquiries may be directed to oman70.3@ironman.com.
For accommodation and travel services, visit omantourism.gov.om
For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.