A well-known figure in Bahrain’s sporting community is once again gearing up for one of the most gruelling tests of physical and mental strength – Ironman Switzerland.
Dr Saqer Al Khalifa arrived in Switzerland from Italy on August 2 in preparation for the event to be held on August 24.
His journey to Thun – a town in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region – was part of an extraordinary two-month trip from Bahrain to Europe in a 2500 Ram Power Wagon he converted into a luxurious camper home.
Speaking to the GDN from Thun, the 45-year-old athlete, who works as a senior adviser to the Education Ministry, said the Ironman event was part of his greater personal mission to represent Bahrain and its rich culture in a positive and inspiring light, one step at a time.
Dr Al Khalifa in Lake Como, Italy
“I have been training everyday to make sure I am ready for the big day,” Dr Al Khalifa explained.
“It is a 12-to 13-hour event, so it really tests your endurance. To prepare, I have been training my swimming, cycling and running.
“A race like this one is not about getting the best time; it is about testing your physical endurance.”
The Ironman Switzerland Thun course features a challenging but scenic race in the Swiss Alps. It includes a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride through the Bernese Oberland with significant elevation changes and a 42.2km run that takes athletes through the city of Thun and its surroundings.
Cycling in Switzerland
“Once a week I do a big swim of 3.5km to 4km,” he said, adding that he also has been cycling for around six hours every day to train to control his heart rate.
While he enjoys representing Bahrain in international sporting spectacles, he also believes that interacting with locals in a positive manner will do far more to put the kingdom and other Arab countries on the map.
“As my trip progresses and I get closer to the race date, I realise that this is not the biggest race I face,” he said.
“In fact, I face an even bigger challenge during this journey of being able to represent my country in the best positive way.
“When you travel and meet new people, you are acting as an ambassador for your country and it can have a significant impact on how people perceive the country you come from,” he explained, adding that even while staying at numerous campsites along the way, people notice the Bahraini licence plate and become curious to talk to him.
The GDN reported last month that the Bahraini adventurer converted his truck into a camper as part of his journey from Bahrain to Europe.
Dr Al Khalifa battled extreme weather conditions as he competed with other athletes in the Maratona dles Dolomites, in Italy, on July 6
He used his diabetes diagnosis to take on new challenges and motivate others to not allow their illness prevent them from achieving their goals.
“Especially with the current political climate, I believe it is essential to show that we, as Bahrainis and Arabs, are good people, and I encourage everyone who travels to try to not just stay in hotels, and go to places where locals are,” he said.
Dr Al Khalifa, who holds a PhD in political science from Claremont Graduate University in California, also competed in the Maratona dles Dolomites, in Italy, on July 6. It is an annual one-day road bicycle race that takes place in the Italian Dolomites. It typically features three route options, with the longest being a 138km course with 4,320 metres of elevation gain.
The American University of Bahrain adjunct professor set out on this trip in June and will return to the kingdom around August 31.
He has competed in around 35 Ironman races, including in Bahrain, the UAE, Muscat, US, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, Thailand and more.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))