Athletes from a number of countries are taking part in one of the biggest sporting events in the region.
The Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship starts with an expo and registration of participants on December 7 at Reef Island, while the practice and main event will be held over the following two days. Registration for athletes ends tomorrow midnight.
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The event, which returns for the first time since 2019 following a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, features a 90km cycling race, a 21.1km running challenge and a 1.9km swimming race.
It is expected to feature top-class athletes from not just Bahrain and the GCC, but around the world. Among them is the UK’s Holly Lawrence who will be defending her title after winning three consecutive IronMan 70.3 Middle East Championships from 2017 to 2019.
Also among the participants will be His Majesty the King’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Other members of the Bahrain Victorious 13 team expected to participate are Slovenian David Plese, South African Henri Schoeman, and Frenchman Vincent Luis.
According to the details and programmes posted on the official website, the one-loop 1.9km swim course starts at The Reef Island in which athletes follow a rectangular “L” shaped swim layout that leads along a series of left turns and back to the lagoon’s bank before they head into transition.
The athletes will then race on a one-loop 90km bike course consisting of a single lap starting from transition at The Reef Island.
They will pass iconic landmarks such as the Bahrain World Trade Centre and the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir and then back to The Reef Island.
The route then heads south of the island for one extra lap where they will bike past the BIC and the Al Areen Wildlife Park.
Finally, athletes will compete in a four-loop 21.1km run course which starts at The Reef Island and leads athletes towards the Bahrain Financial Harbour and then back to the starting point in Manama.
Spectators can cheer on the athletes all the way back to the finish line at The Reef Island. Athletes will be given two temporary race number badges to be put on their arms between their shoulder and elbow.
They will also be given a wristband which will be required for medical identification purposes and allows access to banquets, transition and post-race athlete recovery areas.
Race director Abbas Buhassan welcomed the opportunity for Bahrain to once again host the event.
“We are immensely proud to kick off this season as we continue to uphold Shaikh Nasser’s vision and his great appreciation of the sport,” he was quoted as saying in the Athletes’ official Guide 2022.
“His driving force behind this event has been known not only to contribute to the kingdom’s economic and tourism development process but it also sets Bahrain as the destination for sports in the GCC and the world,” he added.
Mr Buhassan said that the spectacularly designed swim, bike, and run course with a single transition, will bring both locals and guests ever closer to Middle Eastern history and heritage, while also allowing supporters to get up close to the action.
The event will also feature a Physically Challenged Open Division which is available to athletes with a medically verified visual impairment, or a medically verified physical or neurological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
An IronKids event is open to all children aged below 17, to be held on December 8 starting at 4pm.
Similar to previous years, traffic authorities are expected to announce plans that include road closure or diversions.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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