2025 Dubai T100 Triathlon weekend set to be ‘bigger and better’

Marten Van Riel winning the Dubai T100 Triathlon in 2024 at Meydan Racecourse. (SUPPLIED)
Short Url
Updated 16 July 2025
Follow

2025 Dubai T100 Triathlon weekend set to be ‘bigger and better’

  • Dubai Sports Council to expand 2025 Dubai T100 edition, with more amateur places in 100 km and sprint distance events up for grabs

DUBAI: The second edition of the Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend is set to return from Nov. 13–16, 2025, and promises to be “bigger and better,” according to the Dubai Sports Council.

The event will again be held in collaboration with the Professional Triathletes Organization.

General registration is now open for amateur triathletes to take part in the 100 km race (2 km swim, 80 km bike, 18 km run) and the sprint distance (750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run).

Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, a division of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism — a key partner of the event — highlighted the strategic value of the triathlon weekend, which will again be included in the annual 30 days of Dubai Fitness Challenge.

“Our continued commitment to developing sports tourism through world-class events like the Dubai T100 Triathlon aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to position Dubai as a premier global destination for both business and leisure,” he said.

“After the success of the 2024 debut, we are confident that the 2025 edition will attract global attention, contribute to the local economy, and highlight Dubai’s diverse offerings to international audiences.”

Eisa Sharif, director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, revealed ambitious plans to expand the event in 2025.

“We were delighted to host the T100 Triathlon World Tour in Dubai for the first time last November. The race was a valuable addition to our growing calendar of diverse sporting events, particularly as part of the successful Dubai Fitness Challenge,” he said.

“Dubai has firmly established itself as a global hub for triathlons, offering events for men, women, professionals, and amateurs. With world-class infrastructure and local expertise, we are well-positioned to host major international competitions.”

Sharif said that the T100 had brought together the world’s top triathletes, including Olympic champions, and had crowned the first men’s and women’s T100 world champions, Belgium’s Marten Van Riel and American Taylor Knibb.

“Equally significant was the enthusiastic participation of nearly 10,000 amateur athletes across the 100 km and sprint races, as well as in the untimed 5 km music run, which welcomed participants of all ages and abilities. This community race aligned perfectly with the Dubai Fitness Challenge’s goal of encouraging 30 minutes of activity for 30 days,” he added.

“For 2025, we are working closely with the PTO to expand all three race categories. In addition, we will introduce a schools event and a corporate relay, further enhancing community engagement and reinforcing our vision of promoting healthy, active lifestyles to improve the quality of life in Dubai.”

Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organization, said: “The 2024 Dubai T100 Triathlon was a huge success, quickly becoming a bucket-list race on the new T100 World Tour. We’re thrilled to be building on that momentum by creating more opportunities for amateur athletes — and now, corporate teams — to participate in a festival-like celebration of swim, bike, and run around the Meydan Racecourse.”

The 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour has already visited Singapore (April 5–6), San Francisco (May 31-June 1) and Vancouver (June 14-15).

Swiss Olympic star Julie Derron leads the T100 Race to Qatar rankings for the women, while Belgium’s 2024 T100 world champion Marten Van Riel tops the rankings for men. The next T100 race is in London on Aug. 9-10.


Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race

Updated 27 December 2025
Follow

Al-Hilal win tightens Saudi Pro League title race

  • The 3-2 victory over Al-Khaleej leaves Al-Hilal a single point behind Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, who play on Saturday

DUBAI: The gap at the top of the Saudi Pro League table was cut to just one point on Friday night, following Al-Hilal’s 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej.

Simone Inzaghi’s team leapfrogged Al-Taawoun into second place to remain the closest challengers to Al-Nassr in the title fight, with the leaders set to host Al-Okhdood on Saturday.

Al-Hilal opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kanno met Hamad Al-Yami’s lay-off on the edge of the penalty area, his long-range shot beating Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his left-hand post.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic doubled the lead on 39 from Malcom’s assist to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half. Al-Hilal looked to have secured all three points comfortably when Malcom made it 3-0 on 57 minutes, but Al-Khaleej had other ideas.

Joshua King’s goal on 79 minutes looked to be nothing more than a consolation, but five minutes later Al-Hilal were left sweating after Giorgos Masouras cut their lead to a single goal. The visitors’ revival was short-lived, however, with no more additions to the score.

The defeat leaves Al-Khaleej in eighth place, with three matches still to be played on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, Al-Taawoun briefly climbed to second place in the table after an away win against Al-Kholood at Al-Hazem Stadium. Their goals came from Christopher Zambrano after 22 minutes and a William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 75th; Al-Taawoun ended the match with 10 men after Muteb Al-Mufarrij was sent off in stoppage time, but the three points were already secured.

Al-Hilal’s win later in the day meant Al-Taawoun dropped to third, while Al-Kholood sit in 12th.

The first match of the day saw Al-Fateh shock reigning Asian champions Al-Ahli with a 2-1 win, after falling behind at home to Valentin Atangana’s 22nd-minute goal. However, the home team turned the match around with two goals from Maria Vargas either side of half time.

The win saw Al-Fateh rise to 14th while Al-Ahli stayed in fourth.