Muscat to host IronMan 70.3

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Oman will host two new international sporting events this year, the Ministry of Tourism has announced.

Wanda Sports Holdings Company and Triathlon Middle East, with the support of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT), announced the launch of IronMan 70.3 Oman. The iconic triathlon competition will be held in the capital city of Muscat.

5i50 triathlon

Oman will also host its first ever 5i50 triathlon on November 18. The event, which features a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run, is the perfect preparation for athletes and beginners in the lead up to the main IronMan event.

“It is with great pride that we announce the launch of the IronMan 70.3 triathlon race in Oman,” said Sayyid Adil bin Mirdas Al Busaidi, Advisor on Tourism Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism.

Well-suited

“The country is well-suited to host events such as running, cycling, and swimming competitions.” The athletes will have the chance to take in beautiful views of the port city as they complete a 1.9km (1.2mi) swim, 90.1km (56mi) bike ride, and 21.1km (13.1mi) run during the inaugural IronMan 70.3 Oman race.

The athletes will also be able to swim without wetsuits, as the swim portion of the race will be held in the calm, clear waters of the Arabian Sea, off the upscale suburb of Al Shatti in downtown Muscat.

Al Shatti will also be the location of the bike transition, which will see athletes take on a bike route akin to a travel tour. Participants will pass all of Muscat’s major monuments, such as the Royal Opera House, Muttrah Gate and Corniche, the Al Bustan Palace, and the enticingly fast Wadi Al Kabir Road.

The fastest age groupers in IronMan 70.3 Oman will snag 30 qualifying slots for the 2019 IronMan 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.