Triathlon history is about to be rewritten in the UAE as Challenge Sir Bani Yas makes its highly anticipated debut on 5 April 2025. It marks the first time the region will host a race over the 226km distance, setting the stage for an unforgettable endurance showdown.
Over the weekend, 3,000 age group participants will take on multiple events, including the long, middle, and Olympic distances, while the 60-strong professional field will battle it out over the middle-distance. With breathtaking landscapes and a course like no other, Challenge Sir Bani Yas promises to be a defining moment in the sport and the perfect kick-off to Challenge Family’s northern hemisphere season.
In the pro field, for most, Challenge Sir Bani Yas is their opening race of the season so form is unproven and the race is wide open, with an exciting showdown anticipated. Heading the men’s line up is world champion, Sam Laidlow (FRA). With his well-documented health issues this year, what the 5 April brings for him remains to be seen. He is up against Olympian, Henri Schoeman (RSA) as well as the UK’s Kieran Lindars and Ognjen Stojanović (SER) who had no less than five Challenge Family podiums in 2024, including a win in November at Challenge Xiamen. Also in contention is Jesper Svensson (SWE), current European Champion following his win at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam.
Csonger Lehmann (HUN), who at 25 is lining up for his first ever middle distance race, finished 2024 ranked 5th in the World Triathlon Series. Olympians Emil Holm (DEN) and Jonas Schomburg (GER) are also on the start line, both also from a short course background and still relatively new to the middle distance but will definitely bring some speed into the race.
In the women’s field, 2022 The Championship winner, Sara Pérez Sala (ESP) has some strong contenders lining up with her, including Australian, Milan Agnew, winner of Challenge Turku, and Aurelia Boulanger (FRA) who earned three Challenge Family titles to her name in 2024 as well as Diede Diederiks (NED) and Giorgia Priarone (ITA).
Challenge Sir Bani Yas takes place in one of the most unique destinations in the world of triathlon, the spectacular Sir Bani Yas Island. A natural island located off Abu Dhabi, in the beautiful Arabian Gulf, it is one of the largest natural islands in the United Arab Emirates. Athletes will race through the Sir Bani Yas wildlife reserve which makes up more than half of this incredible island and is home to more than 17,000 free-roaming animals, including Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas, and cheetahs, and several million trees and plants.
In addition, with its commitment to increasing sports participation and promoting an activity and healthy lifestyle in the region, Challenge Sir Bani Yas offers a wide selection of community races for friends, family and island visitors of all ages and abilities.
With race categories tailored for everyone—from kids just starting their triathlon journey to adults ready to push their limits—these races promise a memorable experience for the whole family. Add to this the many island excursions available and the paradise-like setting and it’s easy to see how Challenge Sir Bani Yas is lining up to become triathlon’s ultimate destination race.
