Dubai Gets Ready To Add Another World-Class Event To Its Sporting Calendar; Registrations Selling Out Fast. 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 28 May 2024: The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and World Triathlon have announced the renowned Meydan Racecourse, Crystal Lagoon of District One and the surrounding area, to host the new T100 Triathlon World Tour when it visits Dubai on 15-17 November this year.

Delivered by race organisers Falcon and Associates in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Holding, the Dubai T100 Triathlon women’s and men’s professional races will take place at the racecourse – the home of the Dubai World Cup – alongside the swim stage in the dazzling Crystal Lagoon swimming complex of the exclusive District One residential development, as well as the cycle stage at Meydan – which includes the Royal Bridge (picture above and video here) surrounding area.

This location announcement for the challenging 100km course (comprising a 2km swim, 80km bike, and 18km run) epitomises both Dubai and the T100, blending an unforgettable urban backdrop with a world-class sporting spectacle. The T100 Triathlon weekend and its mass participation events provide the only opportunity for members of the public to access this incredible facility.

To register for 100km amateur race visit https://t100triathlon.com/dubai/participate/ but hurry as places are going quickly. Further details on other distances will be announced in due course.

As well as the Triathlon events, there will also be a comprehensive range of other participation opportunities offered throughout the weekend, including Relays, Sprints, Youth Events and Running. These event offerings will cater to multiple interests, forming an integral part of the 2024 30 x 30 Dubai Fitness Challenge, with registration set to commence later this year.

Commenting on the news, PTO CEO Sam Renouf said: “It’s great to be finally sharing the exciting course details of our first ever event in the UAE, especially the iconic location of Meydan Racecourse. The first Dubai T100 will be one of the most anticipated stops on the new T100 Triathlon World Tour, with the world’s best Triathletes as well as a host of amateurs all getting the chance to race on the same course. With the swim taking place in the amazing Crystal Lagoon at District One, this will surely become a bucket list event for the sport globally.”

“I’m especially grateful to our partners, the Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Holding. The blend of an event which showcases the best athletes in the world; gives the leading amateurs the chance to test themselves over the same course and enables everyone else the opportunity to enjoy a swim, cycle or run – is unique and fits perfectly with the ambition and vision of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.”

Dubai Fitness Challenge was launched in 2017 to support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to transform Dubai into one of the most active cities in the world, encouraging citizens, residents and visitors to embrace a healthier lifestyle by committing to 30 minutes of exercise every day for 30 days, with an action-packed calendar of activities and events.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “It is our pleasure to unveil yet another world-class addition to Dubai’s exciting international sporting events calendar.  Coinciding  with the annual city-wide Dubai Fitness Challenge, the Dubai T100 Triathlon will highlight Dubai’s commitment to mass participation sports, while also attracting high profile triathletes to our city. Hosting this Triathlon for the first time is perfectly aligned with our visionary leadership’s aspiration to position Dubai as the best place to visit, live, and work in, and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s status as a leading global city for business and leisure. As a leading international events hub, Dubai also looks forward to showcasing its exceptional facilities, infrastructure, and hospitality to athletes and spectators from around the world during this inaugural challenge.”

The T100 Triathlon World Tour is designated by World Triathlon, the sports international governing body, as the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’. Meaning the series has a season-long narrative and culminates with the crowning of a women’s and men’s T100 World Champion, rather than simply individual race winners.

Dubai will be the penultimate leg on the eight-stop $7 million USD global triathlon tour which started in Miami (9 March) and Singapore (13-14 April) earlier this year and visits San Francisco (8-9 June), London (27-28 July), Ibiza (28-29 September) and Las Vegas (19-20 October) before touching down in the United Arab Emirates.

H.E. Nasser Aman Al Rahma, the Assistant Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council (DSC) expressed pleasure toward hosting this international event in Dubai and stated:

“We are pleased Dubai is hosting this prominent international event, alongside other top global cities, including: Miami, San Francisco, London, Las Vegas, Singapore and Ibiza. The hosting of this international event confirms the quality of life in Dubai and its attractiveness, the remarkable status of sport in the country, and shows that Dubai continues attracting further major sports events. DSC is keen to collaborate with various entities to attract further major sports championships & events. DSC supports the sector of the organisation of sports events and boosts its contribution to the enhancement of sports tourism & domestic product in Dubai. DSC also exerts considerable efforts to bring happiness to all individuals in society and to enable them to follow the most eminent world championships alongside the most prominent global stars & teams in different sports. We affirm keenness to continue organizing such major events and add them to the most international sports events on DSC’s annual agenda”.    

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate said: “We are pleased to host the T100 Triathlon World Tour at two of our landmark locations and provide the participating athletes as well as the spectators with a thrilling sporting experience. Dubai is home to some of the most extraordinary global sporting events and we are proud to once again extend our support to an exhilarating race which will further cement the emirate’s position as a world-class sporting destination. As part of our endeavours to further boost Dubai’s sporting culture, we look forward to hosting events that invite participation from both the local community and international visitors.”

Local athlete Ali Ramdan, who is about to celebrate a decade of competing in triathlon, spoke about the inaugural Dubai T100, saying: “Being a person who was born and brought up in this country, and having started my triathlon journey ten years ago, to hear that the Dubai T100 will be in the same year is so exciting for me.”

“I can’t wait to share the track with some many other athletes from the community,” added Ali. “If it’s not world-class to describe what Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council has done for the sport – I don’t know what is. We have professional tracks, beautiful facilities, ready for us to train on and host these kinds of events. It’s truly amazing.”

Melina Timson-Katchis, another local athlete who hasn’t let ‘life’ get in the way of her triathlon journey, said: “When the news came out that T100 was coming to Dubai, I think every triathlete across the UAE was ready to sign up instantly! It’s such an incredible event and the fact it’s happening here in Dubai, in such a great location too, is why we can’t wait to get going.”

“Despite injuries, having kids and a full-time job, my love for triathlon hasn’t wavered,” added Melina. “So much so I’ve made it my full-time job, and I love to bring those I coach to events like T100. I’ve got students of different abilities and some who only do certain disciplines of triathlon – but this event in November is going to be perfect for them.”

How the T100 Triathlon World Tour works 

1. Each contracted athlete must complete a minimum of 5 races plus the Grand Final.
2. Athletes to score 35 points for first place to 1 pt for 20th place at each race
3. The Grand Final has increased points to up the ante (55 pts down to 4 pts)
4. Each athlete’s best three T100 race scores plus the Grand Final will count towards the the inaugural women’s and men’s T100 World Championship
5. $250,000 USD prize fund at each T100, totalling $2,000,000 across the eight races (1st place – $25,000k; 2nd – $16,000; 3rd – $12,000 at each race)
6. The series winners following the Grand Final will be crowned T100 Triathlon World Champion and will win $210,000 USD from an additional total prize pool of $2,000,000
7. Between the athlete contracts, T100 race prize fund and the T100 Triathlon World Tour pool, the series provides more than $7,000,000 USD in athlete compensation, and is distributed in a way that not only rewards the winners, but also recognises the significant achievement of racing at this level

Falcon and Associates, the local organisers of the Dubai T100 Triathlon are also responsible for many of the most prestigious events on Dubai’s sporting calendar, including the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates Dubai 7s, and the Dubai World Cup.

-Ends-

For high-res images, click: HERE

For further information:

Anthony Scammell: [email protected]

About the Professional Triathletes Organisation

The PTO is a sports body that is co-owned by its professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. The T100 Triathlon World Tour is the new name for the PTO Tour and has been designated by World Triathlon as the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’. It will be a season-long schedule of eight T100 races during 2024 that will be competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run) and will feature the world’s best triathletes going head-to-head in Miami (9 March), Singapore (13-14 April), San Francisco (8-9 June), London (27-28 July), Ibiza (28-29 September) , Lake Las Vegas (19-20 October), Dubai (16-17 November) and at the Grand Final (29-30 November). There will be racing opportunities for amateurs at all the events, including the new 100km distance at six stages, including: Singapore, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, Dubai and at the Grand Final. The T100 broadcast shows races live around the world in 195+ territories, courtesy of the PTO’s partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery as well as a range of other international, regional and local broadcasters.

About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade.

Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to visit, live and work in by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall.

DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. DET’s portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).

About Nakheel (www.nakheel.com) 

Dubai-based Nakheel is a world-leading master developer and a member of Dubai Holding, whose innovative, landmark projects form an iconic portfolio of master communities and residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments that are pivotal to realising Dubai’s vision. Nakheel’s waterfront projects, including the world-famous, award-winning Palm Jumeirah, have added more than 300 kilometres to Dubai’s original, 72-kilometres coastline, paving the way for the development of hundreds of waterfront homes, resorts, hotels and attractions.

Nakheel’s master developments span 15,000 hectares, and provide a growing range of destinations, attractions and facilities for Dubai’s citizens, residents, and tourists. They include Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Islands, Palm Beach Towers, The Palm Tower, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village, Al Furjan, Canal Front Residences, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Jebel Ali Village and Nad Al Sheba Villas.

Nakheel Community Management (NCM) is an integrated, customer centric community management company with a vision to create the most desirable and exciting communities. With customer happiness as its core objective, NCM’s three pillars are: community centricity, customer focus and technology driven. NCM delivers world-class services to homeowners and residents across its communities through innovation, technology, and international best practices.  Nakheel Community Management is responsible for 20 Master Communities with a total of 700,000 residents, with 350,000 of those residents in the 50,000 residential units which are directly managed by NCM.

Nakheel owns and operates a diverse range of world-class retail experiences with a distinct portfolio of iconic lifestyle, shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations across Dubai. Palm Jumeirah is home to Palm West Beach, Golden Mile Galleria, Club Vista Mare, The Palm Monorail, and the observation deck, The View, at the top of The Palm Tower. Nakheel’s expanding portfolio also includes distinguished, large-scale shopping centres such as Nakheel Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, and Circle Mall, and retail Pavilions at 11 Nakheel residential communities. Upcoming projects include Al Khail Avenue.

Nakheel Hospitality’s project portfolio includes a diverse range of hotels and resorts, including five-star, luxury establishments, family-friendly resorts, and stylish, modern hotels: The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall, Avani Ibn Battuta, Riu Dubai and the Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.

Nakheel Home Rental’s portfolio currently comprises more than 14,500 villas and apartments at Dubai Waterfront, Meydan, Nad Al Sheba Villas, The Gardens and Discovery Gardens.