The Urban-Ultra X-Tri Cross Country triathlon 2016 in collaboration with Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), is back following its resounding success during its launch event in October 2015. The event, set to take place on March 26 in Kalba city, on the outskirts of Sharjah emirate, is now open for registration.The event is open to both individuals as well as teams who can choose between a sport or championship course distance. The championship distance includes 1.5km of swimming, 35km of mountain biking and 10km of running, while the sports course includes 750m of swimming, 18.5km of mountain biking and 5km of trail running.This year the triathlon will have a pro-athlete prize fund of AED 20,000, donated by Shurooq.Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Operating Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said, “We are excited with the return of this event which proved to be popular with athletes, sports enthusiast and the general public last year. (Shurooq) is proud to be the sponsor for the triathlon in Kalba’s unique setting. We invite participants and their friends and family to join us at Kalba’s base camp which is a beautiful outdoor setting with natural stone and wooden buildings, fire pit and outdoor communal dining area. Kalba also offers space to camp by the sea or in the mountains or if participants want comfort, then Kalba Camp has beautiful wooden chalets for accommodation.”
Pascale de Jong, Course Director at Urban- Ultra said, “The Urban Ultra X - Tri Cross Country Triathlon is a challenging event for outdoor and adventure lovers and it’s the only event of its kind in the UAE. Participants can test their endurance in natural environments through running, swimming and biking. One of only two Cross country triathlons in the Middle East, participants will be able to engage with nature as well as challenge their strength. The athletes will swim in Kalba’s protected lagoon by the mangrove nature reserve, then mountain bike through the mountainous region and finally do some off-road trail running. On Friday night there will be a social gathering for participants to meet fellow competitors with food trucks on hand so that there will be a choice of eating options.”Candidates can register by logging onto http://www.urbanultra.com before registration closes on March 19, 2016 at 11.59 pm, but organizers warn that spaces may sell out before then and advise potential participants to register soon. For more information about the event, email [email protected] or call 0528310017.Accommodation can be booked at http://www.adventure.ae/accommodation/kalba-camp/ or call 04 3926463 or email: [email protected] with the subject line, “Urban-Ultra X-Tri March 25”. The cost is AED 100 per person for dormitory-style room (Male only and Female only) and AED 375 for a twin room with an en suite bathroom. Bike hire is also available for participants who don’t own a bike from "BeSport and Adventure HQ", call +97124455838 in Abu Dhabi or +97143213180 in Dubai.
Brief About Sharjah Investment and Development Authority
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is the driving force behind the transformation of Sharjah into an investment, tourist and business destination. Shurooq also works dedicatedly to evaluate and follow-up on tourism, investment, and heritage-related infrastructure projects, as well as to contribute to the comprehensive development in the emirate. It provides facilities related to investment activity in collaboration with other bodies and organisations through the setting up of a comprehensive information centre that highlights investment opportunities in the emirate of Sharjah.