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Winter Triathlon training guaranteed to warm up athletes ahead of Abu Dhabi International Triathlon

Wednesday 29 January 2014, 2:56PM

By Abu Dhabi International Triathlon

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Yas Marina Circuit is open to cyclists weekly.
Yas Marina Circuit is open to cyclists weekly. Credit: Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
Omar Nour
Omar Nour Credit: Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
Alistair Brownlee
Alistair Brownlee Credit: Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
Nour and Brownlee ready forAbu Dhabi International Triathlon.
Nour and Brownlee ready forAbu Dhabi International Triathlon. Credit: Abu Dhabi International Triathlon

Abu Dhabi has quickly established itself as one the world’s top winter triathlon training destinations following the growing success of the word-famous Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, set to celebrate its fifth year this March 15th.

As one of the UAE’s most illustrious sporting events over 2,000 competitors are set to grace the UAE capital this year, including Olympic greats Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee and reigning Ironman World Champion Frederik Van Lierde.


The upcoming event, set to be the biggest yet, will treat triathletes to a myriad of sights, beginning with a sunrise swim in the Arabian Gulf’s shimmering turquoise waters before weaving through the closed roads along the Abu Dhabi Corniche beach, up to the spectacular Yas Island and around the Yas Marina Circuit – home to the annual Formula 1™ Eithad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - before returning to the heart of the UAE capital.

Due to the success of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a winter training base for athletes of all levels looking to escape the Northern Hemisphere’s colder months and prepare for the triathlon season opener. With the UAE’s grass roots tri scene maturing year-on-year, a number of top clubs now offer first timers and seasoned athletes the chance to hone their skills with a wealth of world-class training facilities and bespoke stay and train packages.

Offering athletes the chance to train on the spectacular course throughout the winter season; running on the famous Corniche promenade, cycling on the iconic Yas Marina Circuit or swimming at the picturesque Blue Flag certified public beach, there’s no more scenic place to perfect your triathlon techniques.

Ahead of last year’s Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, Alistair Brownlee spent a week training in the emirate capital;

Abu Dhabi is a great place to train. The facilities are second to none and the climate makes it the perfect winter training destination. Heading out to the emirate capital ahead of the triathlon season opener really helped my body acclimatise to the heat and allowed me to get a feel for the course and the challenge ahead of me.”

Local triathlete Omar Nour is similarly a huge advocate for Abu Dhabi as a triathlon training destination, spending the majority of his year utilising the wealth of facilities on offer.

"Abu Dhabi has everything I require from a training destination; a warm climate, enabling me to train outdoors, and excellent facilities, both natural and man-made, to keep me in peak condition. I often go running along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche as it offers a perfect 8k run effort off the bike, while TrainYAS by Activelife on Tuesday nights at the Yas Marina Circuit offers a superb training ground for me to focus on my cycling.”

With an abundance of triathlon clubs and training opportunities available for both experienced and beginner triathletes, Abu Dhabi is the perfect retreat for those in search of an alternative winter training destination. Whether you’re visiting the Emirates’ capital ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon or seeking an inspiring retreat to motivate and push your off-season training to the next level, here’s our pick of the top training clubs, locations and circuits to visit during a week in Abu Dhabi.

SUNDAY
Check into the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
On arrival, check into the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana. With facilities including large heated swimming pools, direct beach access, a fully equipped gym, bike storage and a daily menu designed to complement health and fitness training programmes, it’s the destination of choice for athletes looking for a relaxing base to return to following a day of intense triathlon training. 

Pick up some speed training with the Abu Dhabi Striders
Start the week as you mean to go on with Sunday interval training with the Abu Dhabi Striders, one of the oldest community clubs in Abu Dhabi, pushing your threshold and increasing your speed over all distances. The group meets each Sunday at a location south east of the Hilton carpark and adjacent to Zalamat Garden in Abu Dhabi.

For more information, please contact Chris O’Hearn on ohearnc@gmail.com or aubsrob@yahoo.co.uk

MONDAY
Go soft sand running and open water training at Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach

Kick start your week in Abu Dhabi and acclimatise to the balmy climate with a soft sand run along the shimmering Abu Dhabi Corniche beach. The eight-kilometre waterfront stretch offers triathletes an all-encompassing training session which includes open water training as well as a separate cycle and jogging pathways accessible any time of the day.

The award-winning Corniche is open daily to the public.

TUESDAY
Train on a Formula 1 Circuit

Take advantage of one of the most picturesque triathlon locations in the world and train on the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, a location on the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon course, with the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Club.

Home to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Yas Marina Circuit offers a unique and friendly training ground on the Formula 1™ track on Tuesday evenings for cyclists and runners looking to train in a safe public environment.

Kick off the training day with a 6pm ride followed by a 7:30pm Brick Run on the famed circuit. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/abudhabitriclub or email: admin@abudhabitriclub.com

WEDNESDAY
Focus on your form at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club

Get out of the heat and perfect your swim technique in the Armed Forces Officers’ Club’s indoor heated 50 metre Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Training hours for ladies only are every Monday from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and Fridays from 8:00am - 1:00pm.

Run for your life at Al Mushrif
In the afternoon, why not try out the club’s all-weather running track or head to the specially-designed rubberised track at Al Mushrif. The 2.4 kilometre track is the longest jogging track in the UAE capital and runs from the ADNOC petrol station on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street to the Federal Passports Bridge.

THURSDAY
Take a dip in the professional triathlete’s pool of choice

It’s not hard to see why professional triathletes choose to train and stay in shape at the Al Jazira Sports Club’s Olympic-sized pool during the cooler months. Open 7 days a week, you’ll never be short of a place to train while in the capital.

Training in Al Ain
Take an afternoon trip to the heritage heartland city of Al Ain and experience the emirate’s stunning natural landscape. Al Ain is a training destination with a difference. From the dizzying heights of Jebel Hafeet to the vast four kilometre cooling Al Ain oasis, the city provides a safe training ground for runners and cyclists. Athlete could easily spend an additional week in Al Ain alone training.

Danat Al Ain Resort and Al Ain Rotana have state-of-the-art swimming pools open to all.
www.rotana.com/alainrotana

FRIDAY
Early bird training

Round off your training week and rise and shine with a cycle session with the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Club. The 5am tri-friendly long ride is perfect for those who like to train group environment.

The club runs weekly cycling, running and swimming sessions for athletes at all levels. For more information, please contact Steve Watson on steve@abudhabistriders.com