Slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand next year will be up for grabs for the elite athletes among the more than 1,600 competitors from 88 countries taking part in the Ironman 70.3 Middle Eastern Championship in Bahrain today.
British athletes Alistair Brownlee and Kat Matthews, both from Bahrain Victorious, headline strong fields in the pro men’s and women’s categories, respectively, as some of the world’s best triathletes go toe-to-toe against each other over a 1.9km swim, a 90km bicycle leg and a 21.1km run.
Double Olympic champion Brownlee will likely face stiff competition from short-course specialist Marten Van Riel as well as Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman in the men’s race.
Meanwhile, the women’s race will probably see 2021 Ironman World Championship runner-up Matthews – who also placed second in the 2023 Ironman 70.3 World Championship – facing strong challenges from compatriot India Lee, Australian Ellie Salthouse and New Zealander Amelia Watkinson.
The event will kick off at 6.20am in Reef Island with the men’s 1.9km (1.2 mile) swim leg, followed by the start of the women’s race three minutes later.
Thereafter, the 90km (56.1 mile) bike course will take the athletes on a single lap during which they will pass iconic landmarks, such as the World Trade Centre and the Bahrain International Circuit before heading back to Reef Island.
The final leg of the triathlon – a three-loop, 21.1km (13.1 mile) run – will take the athletes from Reef Island towards Bahrain Financial Harbour before they head back to Reef Island and the finish line.