800 triathletes in action at Ironman 70.3 Oman
More than 800 triathletes from 63 countries will participate in Ironman 70.3 Oman triathlon championship in Muscat on Thursday.
The official opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The 2023 Ironman 70.3 Oman triathlon will be the first and largest series event of its kind in the Middle East for the 2023 season.
The race will kick off at 6:30 am on Thursday on a route that takes athletes through some of the capital city’s most spectacular scenery — via a 1.9 km swim, 90 km road bike, and final 21.1 km run — for a total race distance of 113 km.
With the race’s start and finish line situated at the same location at Shatti Al Qurum, the triathletes as well as the large number of spectators expected to turn out to watch the event can look forward to an action-packed race.
Saleh bin Ali al Khayfi, Director of Tourism, Marketing and Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said: “For the Sultanate of Oman, this globally-recognised triathlon event serves to further enhance the country’s reputation as a premier host destination for regional and international sporting events, as well as for outdoor and adventure tourism activities of all kinds.
It also serves to showcase the rich cultural beauty and modern infrastructure that Oman’s capital Muscat is renowned for. To all athletes making their way into Oman for the first time, I welcome you to our beautiful capital city.”
The event is organised by the leading multi-sport events company, Triathlon Middle East LLC (TRI.ME).
Mohammed al Obaidani, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Triathlon Middle East, said: “It took a long time to organise this event, and we are finally set to host 2023 Ironman 70.3 Oman Muscat for the people of Oman and for the estimated 800-plus athletes who are scheduled to take part. I encourage all sports fans and families in Muscat to visit the Ironman race village this weekend to witness the action. And I wish all athletes the very best for their race day performance.”
“The 90 km non-turning racetrack in Muscat is the only one of its kind, so the athletes love to compete in it,” Al Obaidani added.
The route will entail a swim in the Sea of Oman waters off Shatti Al Qurum, followed by a bike and run route that will take athletes through Muscat’s magnificent urban settings and historic Old Quarter, as well as through the spectacular mountain and desert terrain surrounding the capital. In addition, the route will track its way past many of the capital’s tourism highlights including the Muttrah Corniche and Souq, Al Alam Palace, Royal Opera House Muscat and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.