Abu Dhabi Adds Short-Course Prize Purse
Organizers of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon have announced that a prize purse of $60,000 has been added to the short-course race.
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Organizers of the 2014 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon have announced that a prize purse of $60,000, with $15,000 going to the winners, has been added to the short-course race. The long-distance race has always attracted long-course athletes, and this year the March 15 event will also see 70.3 champions and ITU standouts add their names to the mix thanks to the new prize purse offering.
Brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, both medalists at the 2012 London Olympics, have committed to the short-course race and will be joined by France’s Tony Moulai and Egypt’s Omar Nour.
“This will be my first year racing at Abu Dhabi so I don’t really know what to expect,” Moulai said in a press release. “From what I have heard, the course is amazing but also one to respect given the heat and the unique, challenging 100km bike leg which will have a large part to play in crowning the winner. Given that this year’s elite short course includes some of the world’s most talented triathletes, it’s definitely going to be an exciting season opener.”
The women’s elite start list is similarly strong with Australia’s Annabel Luxford, Germany’s Svenja Bazlen and France’s Jessica Harrison set to take on the championship course.
“I can’t wait to compete in Abu Dhabi, tackling one of the world’s most picturesque courses,” Luxford, a former ITU athlete and now a standout at the 70.3 distance, said. “Ahead of the race I’m heading out to the Emirates to train and acclimatise to the weather to ensure I’m in peak condition for the event. A podium finish would be a great way to start the new season!”
The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon has three course distances; the 223km “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 sprint course (750m swim, a 50km bike and 5km run).
Learn more at Abudhabitriathlon.com.