ADTA LAUNCHES ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON MEDIA CHALLENGE
ADTA LAUNCHES ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON MEDIA CHALLENGE
VIP Training Programme on offer to all media teams
Abu Dhabi, UAE. 22 November 2011: Organisers of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon 2012 - the third in the annual series which will be held next March - have launched the ADIT Media Challenge to encourage regional media organisations to kick-start a healthy New Year by offering VIP training programmes and free entry into the event.
Under the scheme, media teams taking part in the challenge will receive their own personal training sessions from Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team's former Ironman World Champion and current European Ironman champion, Faris Al Sultan, as well as an exclusive training pack containing nutritional advice, dietary plans and physio tips.
They will also get free entry into the US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon 2012, running on 3rd March 2012.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which is behind the triathlon, believes the scheme will further build on the success of this year's event which boasted 61 of the world's best triathletes and a 1,500 strong international amateur and newcomer line-up from almost 50 countries.
"In the past we have received huge interest from local media to get involved with the event but it can be quite daunting to take the first step. Hopefully, with the right support and guidance under Faris, we can help many more people make that leap into the world of triathlon," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.
ADIT Media Challenge participants will have the option of competing in one of the three distances; the 223kms main 'long course' (3km swim, a 200km cycle and 20km run), the half-length 'short' course (1.5km swim, a 100km cycle and a 10 km run) and the successful 2011 debuted sprint course (750m swim, a 50km bike and 5km run), which can also be completed as a team relay.
"Media organisations can submit individual entries in the longer courses or register as a team for the sprint course," said Al Sheikh. "We definitely welcome a bit of friendly competition between the media entrants too."
ADTA is targeting a record field of 2,100 participants, up from 1,500 in 2011, as the event continues to attract strong local and international sign-up and elite participation. More than 1,000 athletes are already pre-registered.
And Al Sultan, team captain of Abu Dhabi's elite triathlon squad, believes the initiative helps broaden the appeal of the sport - one of the world's fastest growing.
"I encourage anyone in the GCC media industry with an interest in living an active life, whether they're a part-time sports enthusiast, a first-time triathlete or hardened athletes, to consider taking part in our training programme," said Al Sultan. "There are very few sports where you can line-up against the elite to test your mettle, whilst still having fun. And with a course that weaves throughout Abu Dhabi's top landmarks, it certainly makes for a unique experience."
Interested press members should e-mail ADITGCC@fasttrackagency.com to register for the ADIT Media Challenge.
For all other athletes ADTA has announced that athlete registration fees will remain frozen for the third year in a row. Athletes interested in entering should visit www.abudhabitriathlon.com and, after clicking on the ENTER NOW link, simply follow the instructions. Entry fees for the long and short distances are US $190 (AED 695) and US $130 (AED 475) respectively, while Sprint courses rates are US $75 (AED 275) for individuals and US $120 (AED440) for a team. The fee for the team relay is US $280 (AED1,022).
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Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has wide ranging responsibilities for managing and assisting the development of the emirate's tourism industry and the marketing and promotion of the emirate as a world-class destination of distinction. Its responsibilities include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations. www.abudhabitourism.ae
To follow the event:
Twitter visit http://twitter.com/AbuDhabiTri
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abu-Dhabi-International-Triathlon
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/AbuDhabiTriathlon
For more information on the event visit www.abudhabitriathlon.com
