In less than two weeks, on 13 April athletes from across the region will descend on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit for the second annual Tri Yas triathlon. With less than one week until registration closes on 8 April, athletes from near and far are also racing to register for this test of fitness and endurance.

“With over 600 registrations so far this year, the response to Tri Yas has been phenomenal,” said Nick McElwee, Sales and Marketing Director at Yas Marina Circuit. “Following the inaugural Tri Yas last year, the UAE triathlon community has embraced the event which is evident in the strong numbers so far.”

One fan favourite making the trip to Abu Dhabi for Tri Yas is Omar Nour, a 2012 Olympic hopeful and Egypt’s first professional triathlete. A relative newcomer to the professional triathlon circuit, it was only four years ago that Nour was overweight and uninspired. Now, poised to be the first Egyptian triathlete to compete in the Olympics later this year, Nour is excited and hopeful about his odds at Tri Yas.

“I have competed in triathlons all over the world but this will be a first for me in terms of venue as well as the fact that it’s a twilight triathlon,” said Nour. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to this Yas Marina Circuit event.”

As the region’s first twilight triathlon, contestants in this year’s Tri Yas will also benefit from cooler evening temperatures as they compete.

As in 2011, Tri Yas 2012 will encompass the entire Yas Marina Circuit; swim in the Yas Marina, bike on the Formula 1™ track and run on Yas Marina Circuit roads. The swim leg will fall during daylight hours and the bike and run legs will take place under full floodlights on the F1 circuit.

Athletes of all abilities are encouraged to take part individually or as a member of a relay team in the Sprint or Olympic categories. Another addition to the 2012 competition is the inclusion of a Junior Duathlon for 11-14 and 15-17 year old age groups, aimed at introducing the sport to younger athletes.

With registration rapidly filling and regional interest up, Yas Marina Circuit is urging last minute entries to register now to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to register, please visit www.yasmarinacircuit.ae.

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