IMG Renews Deal to Manage Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Until 2015

IMG Challenger World, viagra 60mg the Mass Participation Sport division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, has been awarded an extension to its contract with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to deliver the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon until 2015. 

As delivery partner, IMG will continue to successfully plan and manage the event with a large emphasis on operational delivery, while also providing commercial, marketing and communications support. 

During the initial three year delivery which began in 2010, IMG – together with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority – established the event as one of the must-do long course events in the world, attracting top professional athletes, such as two-time Ironman world champion Chris McCormack and three-time champion Craig Alexander, whilst also securing over 2,000 mass participation entries. 

Greg Sproule, Managing Director for IMG Middle East, said: “IMG has harnessed the rapid and successful development of sporting events in the UAE to create and deliver an event which is attractive to both elite and amateur athletes. 

“The aesthetics, culture and points of interest in the city, combined with a challenging and exciting course give us a great event to further establish and grow over the next three years.  We are grateful for the opportunity to continue our association with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority; they are fantastic host partners and share our vision to continue to elevate the event year-on-year.” 

The fourth edition of the event will take place on 2nd March 2013 and will be raced over three unique distances to ensure athletes experience the very best of Abu Dhabi. 

The race village and transition will once again be based at the East Plaza (Public Beach) on the Corniche. It will be a sea swim from the beach; the bike course will weave through the unmistakable scenery of the city of Abu Dhabi, featuring tree-lined roads, landscaped parks and gardens and the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf, which surround the city, all under the safety of completely closed roads. 

To the east of Abu Dhabi city, the bike route passes over Saadiyat Island and on to another attraction sure to whet the appetite of cyclists: Yas island, the emirate’s leisure and entertainment destination. Here, athletes in the short and long course will cycle round the Yas Marina Circuit, which has hosted four hugely successful editions of the Etihad Airways F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

The run course remains unchanged, heading west along the Corniche out onto the breakwater with stunning views back to the city on the return leg.  Athletes will finish at the East Plaza location. 

In addition to this, IMG Consulting’s UK based PR team, has also been awarded a three-year contract as the international PR team to the event, having successfully delivered over the previous three years. They will be leading the global triathlon, sport and lifestyle PR, working with the UAE based local agency for the event and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s international offices across nine key global source markets. 

Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager at the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, added: “The IMG Consulting PR team has been invaluable the last three years in helping to position the event globally as a ‘classic’ destination race amongst the global triathlon audience.  We are looking forward to working with them again over the coming three years to cement this status and widen its appeal through travel and lifestyle audiences, as well as to communicate Abu Dhabi as the premier winter training destination for endurance athletes.