Sign up to the world’s most international endurance race, the 3rd annual Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, is on the rise as the globe’s top athletes set their sights on the lion’s share of the US$ 200,000 prize purse.
More than 40 teams representing 20 nations from five continents have thrown their hats in the ring for the gruelling, six-day multi-discipline Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, which runs 4-9th December 2009 and is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
To date, teams from Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United States of America are confirmed.
And organiser, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which manages the tourism programme for the emirate, the largest of seven which make up the United Arab Emirates, says that the event’s combination of geographical diversity, world-class organisation and course design is the main driver behind the event’s standing as one of the globe’s leading races.
The 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be the most trying to date as it boasts a new-look 428kms cross-emirate route – the longest in the series’ history. With so many terrains to tackle, teams have to utilise a wide-range of skills including sea kayaking, adventure running, desert mountain biking, swimming, adventure trekking, street cycling, desert hiking, cross orienteering, and rope and mountaineering activities.
One outfit that is relishing the chance to test their skills in unfamiliar territory is the Chinese Dragons, the first Chinese squad to enter the Adventure Challenge.
Led by team captain, Jun Wei, the Chinese Dragons have accrued a wealth of domestic experience with all members of the mixed-sex squad - an Adventure Challenge requirement - having competed in a host of the country’s top events, including the legendary Wulong International Mountain Quest.
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Day 2 : Kiwis Cruise the Kayak
Day 3 : Teams deal with the desert
