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Muscat, Oman, 1 February 2023: On Wednesday, 1 February at the InterContinental Muscat, event organizers Triathlon Middle East hosted an official press conference for local and international media representatives – to highlight and introduce the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 OMAN MUSCAT triathlon taking place this weekend. ​

Following the event's official opening ceremony on the evening of 2 February – which will be held under the patronage of His Excellency Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth – the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 OMAN MUSCAT will race off from Muscat's Shatti Al Qurum beach-side district on Saturday 4 February 2023. 

The press conference was held in the presence of number of representatives from Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism – the Title Sponsors for the event, and Sohar International – the event's Official Sponsor. Representatives from the event's Co-sponsors including Oman's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth; the Muscat Municipality; and the Oman Triathlon Committee, were also in attendance.

A panel were present at the press conference to field questions from the media about the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 OMAN MUSCAT event – which will welcome a diverse field of local, regional, and international athletes into Oman's capital Muscat, and which will be preceded by events like the IRONMAN RACE VILLAGE & EXPO, and IRONKIDS RUN MUSCAT through 2, 3 & 4 February.

The event is scheduled to be the first and largest series event of its kind in the Middle East for the 2023 season, and will race off at 6:30am on Saturday on a route that takes athletes through some of the capital city's most spectacular scenery – via a 1.9 km (1.2 mile) swim, 90 km (56 mile) road bike, and final 21.1 km (13.1 mile) run – for a total race distance of 113 km, or “70.3" miles.

With the race's start and finish line situated at the same location at Shatti Al Qurum, the triathletes as well as the large number of spectators expected to turn out to watch the event can look forward to an action-packed race atmosphere in one central “stadium'' style location.

In the lead up to the event, Saleh bin Ali al Khayfi, Director of Events -  Ministry of Heritage & Tourism Director, stated, “For the Sultanate of Oman, this globally-recognized triathlon event serves to further enhance the country's reputation as a premier host destination for regional and international sporting events, as well as for outdoor and adventure tourism activities of all kinds. It also serves to showcase the rich cultural beauty and modern infrastructure that Oman's capital Muscat is renowned for. To all athletes making their way into Oman for the first time, I welcome you to our beautiful capital city."

The event is organized by the leading multi-sport events company, Triathlon Middle East LLC (TRI.ME). Mr. Mohamed Obaidani, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Triathlon Middle East, added: “This event has been a long time in the making, and we are finally set to host what promises to be a magnificent 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 OMAN MUSCAT for the people of Oman – and for the estimated 800-plus athletes who are scheduled to take part. I encourage all sports fans and families in Muscat to visit the IRONMAN RACE VILLAGE & EXPO this weekend to witness the action. And, I wish all athletes the very best for their race day performance!"

The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 OMAN MUSCAT route will entail a swim in the Sea of Oman waters off Shatti Al Qurum, followed by a bike and run route that will take athletes through Muscat's magnificent urban settings and historic Old Quarter, as well as through the spectacular mountain and desert terrain surrounding the capital. In addition, the route will track its way past many of the capital's tourism highlights – including the Muttrah Corniche and Souq, Al Alam Royal Palace, Royal Opera House Muscat, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

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