Salalah to host Ironman 70.3 on Saturday

Salalah will host iconic triathlon event Ironman 70.3 on Saturday.

With the participation of over 700 athletes, the triathlon event provides attendees with a chance to explore Salalah, the heart of Dhofar and experience the hospitality of the city and the people of Oman.

The athletes and spectators will be able to enjoy the amazing scenery surrounding Salalah city while cheering on or completing a 1.9km swim, a 90.1km bike ride and a 21.1km run.

This race offers qualifying slots for the 2023 VinFast Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

According to an announcement in the Twitter handle of the Royal Oman Police, several roads will be closed for traffic in Salalah today (Saturday).

“There will be a partial closure of traffic during the Ironman World Championship, which includes three competitions; swimming, running and cycling events, on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in the Wilayat of Salalah”, the Public Relations and Security Media Department said.

The announcement said that bicycle race will start from Hawana Salalah Hotel, passes through Hamran roundabout, then Mirbat roundabout, and returns to the same starting point for a distance of 90 km. Traffic will be organised on the road during the race period from 6 am to 1 pm.

The road from Hamran Roundabout and Hawana Salalah Hotel will be closed during the running race period which will start from 6 am to 3:30 pm.

The final four-loop 21.1 km running course takes athletes around Hawana Salalah and through spectator-friendly streets and alleys. The finish line is located in the heart of the marina.

The Ironman 70.3 race is organised by the Ironman Foundation, in collaboration with Wanda Sports and Triathlon Middle East.

Mohamed Obaidani, Chief Executive Officer of Triathlon Middle East LLC the exclusive licensee for Ironman70.3 Oman, said, since the first Ironman 70.3 was held in Oman in 2019, the Oman Air brand has become synonymous with this high-profile global sporting event.

“As the event’s reputation continues to grow in the international triathlon and endurance sports spotlight, we look forward to continuing this partnership with Oman Air in the years to come,” he said.

Oman Air Holidays, in collaboration with its partner hotels, is offering athletes special rates on their preferred hotels as well as a variety of hotel alternatives in Salalah.