Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT), in cooperation with the Ironman Group and Middle East International Events, has announced the launch of the Middle East’s first Ironman 70.3 Relay Championship.
The Experience Oman Ironman 70.3 Dhofar Middle East Relay Championship will take place in Dhofar Governorate on October 24 as part of the Experience Oman Ironman 70.3 Dhofar 2026, in partnership with Hawana Salalah.
The new relay championship will be held alongside the individual race, allowing participants to compete either independently or as part of a team. It will be the first dedicated relay championship in the Middle East to be staged within the Ironman 70.3 series.
Teams comprising two or three members will be able to divide the race’s three disciplines among themselves. This format is designed to attract a wider range of participants, including amateur athletes, government and private sector institutions, universities and sports clubs.
The winning team will be crowned the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Middle East Relay Champion.
The race consists of a 1.9-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre cycling segment and a 21.1-kilometre run. Individual competitors must complete all three disciplines, while relay team members may distribute the stages among themselves before reuniting to cross the finish line together.
Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, Director-General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the championship represented a new milestone in the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts to consolidate its position as a global sports tourism destination.
“The launch of the Middle East’s first Ironman 70.3 Relay Championship reflects the success of the strategic partnership between the Ministry and the Ironman Group in attracting major international sporting events,” he said.
He added that such events contribute to diversifying Oman’s tourism offering, increasing visitor numbers, stimulating tourism activity and generating wider economic benefits across several sectors.
Al Ghassani noted that the championship was not limited to professional athletes, as the relay format would enable broader participation and encourage different segments of society to experience an international Ironman 70.3 event.
He said the initiative would help promote healthy lifestyles, expand participation in triathlon and support the development of a new generation of athletes in Oman and the region.
“We hope the championship will become an annual platform for government and private sector institutions, universities and sports clubs to form teams representing them,” he said.
“This would strengthen teamwork, organisational belonging and physical well-being, while allowing participants to gain international experience by competing alongside leading triathletes.”
Talal bin Humaid al Khusaibi, Director-General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, said the governorate was preparing to welcome participants and accompanying visitors from around the world.
He said the event would offer an integrated experience combining sporting competition with the opportunity to explore Dhofar’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and diverse tourism experiences.
“The championship is an opportunity to introduce visitors to Dhofar’s natural and cultural diversity and to offer them an experience that goes beyond sporting competition,” he said.
Al Khusaibi added that hosting the event formed part of efforts to strengthen Dhofar’s position as a year round tourism destination by attracting international events outside the traditional peak seasons.
He noted that the championship would support the tourism sector by increasing demand for hotels and tourism services, encouraging visitors to extend their stays and enabling them to explore more of the governorate.
He also confirmed that coordination was under way with government and private sector entities to provide the organisational, logistical and service requirements needed to ensure a high quality experience for participants and spectators.
“Our ambition is for every participant to leave Dhofar with both a sporting achievement and an unforgettable tourism memory,” he said.
RELAY TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE
Mohammed al Obaidani, Chief Executive Officer of Middle East International Events, said the relay championship would make Ironman 70.3 racing more accessible to athletes and enthusiasts who may not be able to complete all three disciplines individually.
He said the event would also provide institutions, universities and sports clubs with an opportunity to form representative teams, promote physical fitness and strengthen a culture of teamwork.
“We look forward to the championship becoming an annual event that brings together athletes and institutions from across the region and contributes to expanding the triathlon community,” he said.
Eng Ashraf Nessim, Chief Executive Officer of Muriya, said Hawana Salalah was proud to host Ironman 70.3 races for the fifth consecutive year.
He said the destination’s integrated infrastructure, hospitality facilities and world class services provided an ideal setting for the championship.
“Hosting events of this calibre contributes to stimulating sports tourism, attracting visitors, supporting the local economy and strengthening Oman’s position on the global sporting events map,” he said.
Registration for the Experience Oman Ironman 70.3 Dhofar Middle East Relay Championship is available through the event’s official page on the Ironman website.
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