Dreaming of a desert island getaway? Challenge Sir Bani Yas needs to go straight to the top of your bucket list. Writer and 5-time long distance triathlon finisher Jenny Lucas-Hill gives you the low down on this exciting new addition to Challenge Family’s race calendar.
A new addition to Challenge Family’s race roster, Challenge Sir Bani Yas offers triathletes the unique opportunity to take a swim-bike-run on the wild side and experience what’s got to be one of the ultimate destination races on the entire race calendar. Set sail on a specially chartered cruise ship before docking at the breathtaking Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, with stunning scenery and an incredible nature reserve, home to over 17,000 free roaming animals.
Bringing a full distance (140.6 mile) triathlon to the UAE for the very first time, Challenge Sir Bani Yas race weekend also offers up middle distance racing, plus a range of separate swim, bike and run challenges – and even kayak races. Making it a jam-packed weekend of multisport, suitable for the entire family. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the wildest race in triathlon!
Set sail on a wild adventure and experience the ultimate destination triathlon
Location – Luxury with a spectacular wild side
Located off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas is one of the eight Al Dhafra desert islands. Sweeping beaches and azure-blue waters make way for dramatic desert landscapes, contrasted against lush greenery, imposing salt dome mountains and ancient archaeological sites. Over half of the island is home to one of the region’s largest wildlife reserves, where Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs roam. And while you can experience this breath-taking island via 4×4 safaris and guided tours, race weekend at Challenge Sir Bani Yas gives you perhaps the most unique and exciting way to explore everything this island has to offer. There aren’t many races where “don’t get distracted by the giraffes” will have to be part of your race plan!
If the spectacular location wasn’t wild enough, Challenge Sir Bani Yas also features a specially chartered cruise ship – fully prepped to accommodate race-ready triathletes – to take the stress out of race weekend. Departing from Abu Dhabi, the all-inclusive cruise ship will become your home from home, dropping anchor just 150m away from the event village once you arrive on Sir Bani Yas Island.
Come for the race, stay for an extended vacation – with Abu Dhabi and Dubai in close proximity, Challenge Sir Bani Yas is the ultimate destination race to experience the UAE.
Why race… Challenge Sir Bani Yas
A stunning location that’s part triathlon, part adventure safari. A unique opportunity to set sail on a chartered cruise ship where everything is set up with triathletes in mind. And a race course that’s fast, fun and challenging in equal measures. There are so many reasons to add Challenge Sir Bani Yas to your triathlon to-do list!
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Unique, breath-taking location
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Ultimate destination race
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Stress-free all-inclusive set-up for athletes and spectators
Course – The ultimate triathlon safari
Balmy temperatures, sparkling blue water and the opportunity to spot incredible wildlife as you tick off the miles. The race course at Challenge Sir Bani Yas is an experience like no other – it’s worth going all in on the full distance race just so you’ve got more time out on course to soak it all in!
Swim – 1.9km/3.8km
The swim takes place in a protected location on the southeast of the Island, with calm waters and little in the way of swell to worry about. You’ll dive into race day with a stress-free, self-seeded rolling start. Those racing the middle distance will complete one lap, while those taking part in the full distance race get to go round again for a second lap – though there is no Aussie exit to worry about. The stunning blue water is typically a temperate 23-27 degrees Celsius, so you’re unlikely to need your wetsuit.
BIke – 96km/180km
Take a tour around the island as you cycle along the smooth and traffic-free ring road. But don’t forget to pack your climbing legs – you’ll also have some hills to contend with as you ride up the interconnecting roads, which take you up to 100m above sea level. The total elevation gain for the middle distance bike course is 654m (2145ft) ticked off over 2 laps. And for the long distance race it’s 1228m (4028ft) of climbing over 4 laps.
While you’ll want to push the pace and max out the power, don’t forget to look around and take in your surroundings – it’s not often you might find yourself spotting giraffes and cheetahs mid-race. Fences are in place to prevent wildlife (such as the cheetahs) chasing you down on the roads, though it’s worth noting that smaller antelope and birdlife (such as peacocks) are completely free roaming so you’ll need to stay alert.
Run – 21.1km/42.2km
Expect atmosphere and scenery aplenty as you head out of T2 onto the run course at Challenge Sir Bani Yas. The run course is fast and flat, with each 10km lap taking you through the heart of the race village and along the coastal road before heading out into the tranquillity of the lagoon where you’ll have yet more opportunities to get a glimpse of the amazing wildlife.
Middle distance racers will complete 2 laps of the course, while full distance competitors get to go round 4 times. With so much to see and so many opportunities for your support crew to cheer you on, the miles will fly by and you’ll be experiencing the spectacular finish line before you know it.
Race training & prep
The race course at Challenge Sir Bani Yas should be suitable for most ability levels. The swim is well-protected from swell, the run is flat and the bike has plenty of fast, flat sections. But you will want to incorporate some hill training on the bike so the climb on each lap doesn’t take too much out of you. The average air temperature for Sir Bani Yas in April is typically between 26-29 degrees Celsius. Those coming from the Northern Hemisphere should make sure to prepare for racing in hotter conditions – especially if we have a late start to spring. Make use of indoor training if necessary to replicate warmer conditions during your build-up so you have a chance to get acclimated, and ensure you’re staying well hydrated in the days before the race.
During race week, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to ticking off your final pre-race training sessions and shake out rides.
If you’re arriving a few days early and staying in Abu Dhabi, head to Hudayriyat Island. Here you’ll find a beach for swimming, and a whole range of sports facilities including running tracks, bike paths and an outdoor gym. You can also train on the Yas Marina F1 circuit with running and cycling available on the ‘Train Yas’ days on Mondays and Wednesdays between 6pm and 10pm. For those staying in Dubai before they make the trip to Sir Bani Yas Island, there’s always the Al Qudra Cycle Track and the Meydan Cycle Track to make use of.
You’ll only be confined to the ship on Thursday afternoon/evening, so the trip over to the Island shouldn’t be too disruptive to your training schedule. And the good news if you really can’t sit still is there are facilities on board too – including a well-equipped gym, a pool and even a running track.
Once you arrive on Sir Bani Yas Island, you’ll be able to recce the bike and run routes at your leisure. The courses will be set up from the Friday ready for familiarisation. We’d recommend testing out the climb on the bike course so you can plan your race strategy – it’s approximately 7km away from the race village so it makes for an ideal shake out ride. The water safety team and lifeguards will also be on active duty so you can check out the swim course.
Travel & accommodation
While Sir Bani Yas might seem like a wild and far flung destination, it’s easier to get to this bucket-list destination than you might think. The most stress-free way to experience the race is to book the full cruise ship and race entry package. Abu Dhabi airport is just 25 minutes away from the cruise terminal, and Dubai airport is approximately 90 minutes away. Challenge Sir Bani Yas have partnered with Tourism 365 for airport transfers.
The cruise ship itself is all-inclusive with 3 meals a day, and it also plays host to official race events such as the welcome ceremony and awards. You’ll be able to board the ship between 10am and 6pm on the Thursday, at which point it will set sail to Sir Bani Yas Island and dock at Terminal Beach. Throughout the duration, you’ll be able to come and go as you please from the ship once it has docked – it is essentially a floating hotel. The ship will travel back to Abu Dhabi Cruise terminal ready for passengers to disembark from 6am-11am on the Monday morning.
For those who wish to take part in the race without staying on the cruise ship, there are some hotels on the Island, though the race organisers highlight that due to the Eid al-Fitr holidays demand is likely to be high so it’s worth looking into these options as early as possible. You’ll also need to make arrangements to take a ferry to the island which door to door the organisers estimate will take around 6 hours if you are flying into Dubai, or 4.5 hours if you are flying into Abu Dhabi. Note that you can only access Sir Bani Yas island if you have a hotel booking (or if you’re booked onto the cruise ship).
Spectators – Non-stop fun for all ages
Challenge Sir Bani Yas is an incredibly spectator-friendly race. The cruise ship sails overnight to Sir Bani Yas and then is docked at Terminal Beach, just 150m away from the event village. Once the ship arrives, you and your support crew can come and go as you please (so you’re not constrained to the ship!) and make full use of all the facilities onboard, as well as exploring everything the island has to offer. The ship itself has a complimentary kids club to keep little ones happy, along with plenty of entertainment (though the team at Challenge Sir Bani Yas have assured us the timing of this will be athlete-friendly so you can catch an early night before the race). Off the boat, the island also offers up everything from kayaking, horseback riding and snorkelling to silent discos and lunchtime BBQs.
On race day, the swim start, transition zones and finish line are all in one compact area, and the run laps also pass by the race village. Making it easy for your supporters to cheer you on, without spending all day travelling between locations.
There’s also a huge range of side events alongside the main middle and long distance triathlons, many of which are family friendly. There are swimming challenges ranging from 200m (suitable for ages 6 and up) to 1600m (ages 12 and over). Cycling challenges from 30km (12 and over) to 90km (19 and over). And running challenges from 2.5km to 10km. Plus the Beach Games ‘Swim and Dash’ tournament, and kayak/canoe sprint races.
Race-cation – Modern luxury, exhilarating adventures and historic sights
Challenge Sir Bani Yas certainly won’t disappoint if you’re looking for a race-cation. If you take the cruise ship option, you’ll have plenty of entertainment on board to help you relax and enjoy yourself before the race. On Sir Bani Yas island, you and your support crew can take a 4×4 safari, a guided tour or even a horseback riding excursion to explore the island and catch sight of the roaming wildlife. Once you’re done exploring, head back to Terminal Beach and you’ll find all sorts of entertainment – including SUP, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling, beach BBQs and silent discos.
Once it’s time to disembark the cruise ship, it’s well worth taking the time to experience Abu Dhabi too. Thrill seekers can head off on a dune bashing adventure – a rollercoaster-like ride in a 4×4 over the iconic sand dunes. Water-lovers will find everything from wake boarding to deep sea diving to keep them busy. And for those wanting even more of an adrenaline rush, Abu Dhabi has several theme and amusements parks including Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World and Adrenark Adventure.
Be sure to take in the impressive modern landmarks of Abu Dhabi, such as the Etihad Towers and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge. And experience the contrast of these sweeping cosmopolitan structures against some of the region’s historical landmarks such as the Jebel Hafit Tombs or the Emirates Palace. And of course, if you want to treat yourself you’ll find no shortage of luxurious shopping malls or traditional Souk markets to browse.
Whether you’re looking for wild adventure or tranquil relaxation – a race-cation to Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi offers up something for all tastes.
Set sail on a wild adventure and experience the ultimate destination triathlon
Set on the spectacular island of Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, Challenge Sir Bani Yas is an immersive triathlon experience not to be missed. From the specially chartered cruise ship that will become your home from home, to the incredible landscape of Sir Bani Yas island complete with over 17,000 free roaming animals. With middle and long-distance racing on offer, Challenge Sir Bani Yas is an unforgettable destination triathlon that will shoot straight to the top of your bucket list.
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