Winners on the podium with officials.
Doha: Lusail City, hosted by Qatari Diar, was to play host to the elite of the triathlon’s Asian Cup yesterday. Despite being the latest event to fall to the Coronavirus, the massive growth in popularity of this sport ensured huge local interest filling all available slots within days of entries opening. Organiser, Qatar Triathlon Federation, put on a show worthy of the absent pros.
Qatar National Team member Ebrahim Alromaihi (Q-TRI) was first out of the marina’s waters after completing 750 meters swim in 12:53.
He carried most of that 15-second advantage out onto the 20km bike course but was quickly overhauled by Ireland’s Bernard McCullagh, who went on to seal the victory with a blistering 16:32 5km run.
His pace was only bettered by Aspire Academy’s Endurance Coach Steve Macklin (TriClub Doha), and the Irish pair were the only athletes to go under the hour for the three disciplines.
Julie Melville (Rasen Adventure Shop), a familiar name on Qatar’s bike racing scene, made a return to triathlon this season and has claimed the fastest woman title in both National Triathlon Series races so far. Julie sacrificed her swim advantage to Andrea Stadler (Triclub Doha) with a slow transition to the bike. However, a predictably strong leg put her back in a strong lead; too much for Toni Snoxell (TriClub Doha) to catch despite being the only woman to run under 20 minutes with a 19:09 5Km.
Other notable performances came from swim specialist Sarah Nicholls (Triclub Doha) in the masters’ women category and Patricio Gutierrez (Team Doha Cycling) in junior men; both swimming 13 minutes dead - a time only beaten by Ebrahim Alromaihi.
Competition in the relay became ever more intense, with the top ten teams recruiting members capable of topping the leader board for each of the swim, bike, and run disciplines. Teams including national cycling team members battled for the top spot, but Rasen Adventure shop (Stuart Bloor/Marwan Aljalham / Rachid Boudalla) finished first in a time, which put them five minutes clear of the individual winner.
Qatar National Triathlon Series is sponsored by Qatar Olympic Committee (Sport for Life), Sports Corner, Rasen Adventure Shop, Rayyan Natural Water, Al Dar Marine, Yalla Toys.
