Preparations for the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain, scheduled for November 25, are intensifying.
The organising committee is continuing preparations for the success of the championship. Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship is an important event that attracts many local, Arab and international professional and amateur athletes.
His Majesty the King’s representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the clear role played by government authorities to present the championship in a manner befitting the kingdom’s reputation. He also praised the cooperation of the private sector, which has resulted in the sponsorship of many companies.
Shaikh Nasser stressed that the race would not be easy in light of the large number of participants who have set their sights on victory, including the Bahrain triathlon team, which will strive to confirm its position at the global level.
“Competing alongside world champions is a great experience for the team, which will help the members in upcoming competitions,” he said.
Shaikh Nasser added that the team is now ready to participate in the race, hopefully marking a positive presence through outstanding results. He expressed his confidence in the team members who are determined to excel for Bahrain.
“Bahrain has become a home to organise many competitions in different sports, which confirms the confidence of international federations in the kingdom and its ability to host these events successfully on our soil,” he said.
The championship is divided into two sections of competition, with professionals and well-known athletes on one side and amateur athletes on the other. Both professional athletes and amateurs have to pass through three stages – swimming, cycling and running – forcing participants to cross great distances and challenge their strength of performance physically and technically.
The organising committee announced the approval of the three-stage route of the championship. Swimming competitions will be held in Bahrain Bay for a distance of 1.9 km, the cycling competition for 90 km, ending with a running race of 21.1 km. The track of the three competitions will pass by the urban, developmental and heritage sites in the kingdom to introduce participants to Bahrain’s growth, which is one of the objectives of the Ironman Championships.
Meanwhile, operating committees continue to prepare for the start of the race in Bahrain Bay. The site will also witness the end of the race, as well as many other accompanying events that will attract fans. The main website for registration process is also being prepared. Furthermore, the committee is preparing an accompanying exhibition which includes several stalls allotted to Ironman sport, the clothes, equipment and health supplements that fit the game.
The organising committee announced the trial bicycle race, which will be held for the same distance as the championship’s cycling competitions, starting with Bahrain Bay, passing through the capital, the Old City, the Financial District, reaching Bahrain International Circuit and Al Areen Park.
The number of registered individuals has exceeded 2000 men and women of different age groups. The organising committee expects the number to increase since it received more requests and the door is still open.
The organising committee has announced signing Elite Hospitality Group as the official hospitality partner of the championship. The partnership will provide modern accommodation facilities for the participating athletes.
Group CEO Sarosh Aibara said, “We are very pleased to sponsor the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain. The group has a long history of supporting many sports activities, especially those for youth. We are proud to be partners in the organisation of this international event, and hope that it will continue its success in the kingdom.”