Fancy a trip to Oman and a chance to extend the 2018 tri season in style? Or perhaps mark the beginning of your 2019 season with a 70.3 triathlon in this beautiful country? With these two new races you can do both…
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The Sultanate of Oman will host two new triathlon events in the coming year; the inaugural 5i50 Oman in November 2018 and the new Ironman 70.3 Oman on March 9, 2019.
Oman will also host its first ever 5i50 triathlon on November 18. The 1.5 km swim, 40km and 10k run is perfect preparation for athletes and beginners in the lead up to the main event, Ironman 70.3 Oman.
“It is with great pride that we announce the launch of Ironman 70.3 triathlon race in Oman,” said Sayyid Adil bin Mirdas Al Busaidi, Advisor on Tourism Affairs, Ministry of Tourism.
“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 running, cycling, and swimming competition,.”
For the 70.3 the athletes will pass through the beautiful capital city of Musca, as they complete a 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim, 90.1km (56-mile) bike ride and 21.1km (13.1-mile) run during the inaugural Ironman 70.3. 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 the bike transition, from which athletes will take on a bike route that passes through 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.
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 honoured to host athletes from around the world to our beloved nation,” said Race Director and Chief Executive Officer of Triathlon Middle East, Mohamed Al Obaidani. “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,” he added.
Ironman 70.3 Oman will offer 30 qualifying slots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.