The Ironman 70.3
Manama : The Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship will commence this morning at 6.55am with more than 1200 athletes set to compete in what is predicted to be a thrilling three-stage race.
Among the participants are a packed field of male and female world triathlon champion athletes, who arrived in Bahrain to compete in the event held under the Patronage of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
113km, three stages
The Championship covers a distance of 113km over three stages.
The event begin at 6.55am this morning from Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay with a one lap 1.9km swim, followed by 90km of cycling.
The athletes will cycle past landmarks such as the Four Season’s Hotel in Bahrain Bay through Manama city and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, the Gudaibiya Historic Palace, Bahrain Museum, Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Dilmun Burial Mounds, and the National Charter Monument.
Finally they will reach the Bahrain International Circuit to do the last 5km of the ride before arriving at the start line of Bahrain’s annual Grand Prix Formula One Race at Bahrain International Circuit.
The triathletes then do a 21.1km run with a one run course loop around the BIC, giving spectators several chances to cheer on the athletes, before heading out of the circuit and down to Al Areen Wildlife Park.
Runner will move through the natural habitats of Arabian birds and other animals in the Park, then, run a loop before heading back.
The course will repeat the section inside BIC, where annually the Bahrain Formula One race takes place, and where the lap record of Michael Schumacher still holds.
Families and friends will enjoy waiting for their loved ones to finish right next to the Formula 1 team buildings, where the finish line straight will be situated.
The supporting events to the Championship; the Ironkids and IronGirl were held on Thursday
participation
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee confirmed his participation in line with his keenness to be present in important sporting events in Bahrain and outside the Kingdom and was ready for the Championship.
Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of Bahrain Athletics Association, were keen on concluding the handing of all the equipment to the Organising Committee of the event.
Abdulrahman Askar, General Secretary of Bahrain Olympic affirmed that the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship is one of the most renown international events owing to its intense competition and extended popularity, stating that Bahrain will be largely benefited from embracing an event at this level.
Final preparations
Meanwhile, many athletes took part in a trial swimming practice yesterday as part of their final preparations for the Championship.
Elsewhere, the supporting events to the Championship; the IRONKIDS and IronGirl were held on Thursday and attended by Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid, the events witnessed a tremendous success amid participation of a large pool of participants who were privileged to have a photo op with Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid.
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