Ironman 70.3 Dubai set for great contest

Dubai - $1m prize for the overall triathlon winner

The Ironman 70.3 contest, a triathlon test which is half the distances involved though as grinding as the full stretch 140.6 version, is scheduled on Friday for a beach front start opposite the Umm Suqeim Park - 6am.
The Ironman 70.3 Dubai chapter this year begins with a swim course from the public beach (Jumeirah), and will go into the biking part where the route leaves the city behind and ventures into the dunes.
The run route, later, will cover three laps along the beach. Participants will go through the stretch before they finish next to the start and transition area at the general grand stand.
With the participation of the elite group of world champions along with the professional and amateur athletes of various ages, the championship will prove to be a one of its kind in this part of the world.
The '70.3' refers to the total distance in miles (113km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim, a 56-mile (90km) bicycle ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run. Each distance of the swim, cycling and run segments on Friday is half the distance involved in a normal Ironman triathlon which is termed '140.6'.
Saeed Hareb, secretary general, Dubai Sports Council and officials visited the Ironman 70.3 Dubai Village, at the open beach area behind Umm Sequim Park, on Monday evening.
The Village includes the swimming competition area, bicycle receiving zone, finishing line and awarding platform, stands for sponsoring companies, zones for public services, events management location and public seats.
Jan Faridino, Sarah Garous and Daniela Reevee have confirmed their participation for the $1 million top prize money allotted for the winning triathlonist in the world circuit that includes the Dubai and Bahrain legs.
Participants are classified into various categories; as following: professional males / professional females / amateur males / amateur females / relay. Each team includes two to three athletes. The participating categories are divided into 10 age groups- (19-24 years old) / (25-29 years old) / (30-34 years old) / (35-39 years old) / (40-44 years old) / (45-49 years old) / (50-54 years old) / (55-59 years old) / (60-64 years old) / (above 85).
It has to be mentioned that the electronic registration system has shown that 86-year old American Leo Holander has entered the Dubai contest this year.
moni@khaleejtimes.com