Ironman 70.3 : An Amazing experience in Oman

Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run, raced in that order. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.

Most Ironman events have a limited time of 16 or 17 hours to complete the race, course dependent. The race typically starts at 7:00am; the mandatory swim cut off for the 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim is 9:20am (2 hours 20 minutes), the mandatory bike cut off time is 5:30pm (8 hours 10 minutes), and the mandatory marathon cut off is midnight (6 hours 30 minutes). Any participant who manages to complete the triathlon within these time constraints is designated an Ironman.

The Total Distance of Ironman race is 140.6 Miles and Half of this distance is Ironman 70.3. In this blog I will share my story of Ironman 70.3 Journey in Oman.

Ironman 2019 Muscat, Oman 70.3 

1st March 2019 was the Historic event for Oman. The first ever Ironman in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman organized by Ironman. Announcement was done in June 2018, when and it was happiest moment for many triathletes in Oman. 

Ironman 2020

Sultanate of Oman will have 2nd version of Ironman in 2020 , on 21 Feb 2020 in Beautiful City of Muscat, which is 400 KM from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

My First Ironman Race

First Triathlon organized by Ironman was an olympic distance triathlon called  5i50 which was launched on 2nd November 2018 where unexpectedly many triathletes participated and event was a great success.

I updated my social media post as;

“1st March 2019. Ready for Ironman 70.3 Oman. BIB#556 First time in Oman. More than 1000 participants from 65 countries. Representing #pakistan aiming peace in #Kashmir.Live Coverage on Facebook (#ironmanOman and a Ironman pages)

Race start 6:30 AM

Plan to Finish before 1:00 pm

1.9km swim, 90km Bike, 21km run @ Shatti Qurum Beach.”

I specially thank Muhmmed Obaidani together with Ironman team announced that bigger event will take place with full preparation and better facilities will be provided to triatheletes.

Ironman 70.3 where 70.3 means total miles of the race that includes 1.9 KM Swimming, 90KM Cycling and 21KM (Half Marathon) Running that athletes had to complete in 8 hours and 30 minutes with different cutt off for all three events within the race.

Many winners from Oman qualified for the world championship.

First Ever Ironman 70.3 Race

I am Oman Residant and this was first race in Oman and my first Ironman 70.3. My target time was 8 hours but I managed to finish this race in  6 hrs 30 minutes.

The race started with 1.9 KM swim from Intercon beach near Costa Coffee.

Qurum Beach, where we had our bicycles mounted. We took the bikes and headed towards 18th November street and took u turn to use Qurum Heights road, then followed Old Muttrah, Al Bustan, Wadi Kabir, ruwi and then followed Hamriya towards Al Amerat, We continued upto Al Amerat Police station and turned back to Sultan Qaboos Highway, towards Intercontinental Hotel Muscat. Cycling finished at kebab round about, I completed in 3 hours and 25 minutes. Then immediately took my running gears and completed my start my run. 

The run was on Qurum Corniche/Bridge 4 laps of 5KM and then ended in Qurum Park. I managed to keep my pace less than  6 minutes per KM and completed my Half Marathon in 2 hours 20 minutes. 

This was my first ever Ironman 70.3, and I am very happy that I got the title and medal and completed the race before my target time. 

I am waiting for Ironman 70.3 in Muscat 2020 where I will again participate. 

Swim finished a Qurum Beach well known kebab round about, I completed my swimming  with PB i.e; in 45 minutes.

Covid19 Pandemic turned world upside down. There were no events organized by Ironman. Only the virtual races was arranged, I participated in most of Ironman Virtual Races.

My Plan was also to participate in TriPakistan event by that plan was also cancelled due to Covid19 Pendamic.

It is very important to keep practices for Ironman events. The training has not stopped. I kept practicing since Covid19 Pandemic. I am doing daily training for open water swimming, running and cycling.