Most of us struggle to commit to a weekend jog, let alone a triathlon on a remote island with gazelles watching you sweat. Yet more than 3,110 athletes from 47 countries lined up for the first Challenge Sir Bani Yas, and the race has since become one of the most unusual dates on the UAE sporting calendar. Picture swimming, cycling and running across a nature reserve while giraffes and Arabian oryx carry on grazing, completely unbothered by your personal best.
The race is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and organised by ADNEC Group with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Challenge Family series.
Next race: 30 January 2027
The third edition is scheduled for 30 January 2027, according to the Challenge Family race calendar. Distances cover pretty much every level:
- Long distance: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
- Middle distance: 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run
- Standard distance: 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
- Community races: shorter options with swims from 200m to 1,600m, rides from 30km to 90km and runs from 2.5km to 10km
Registration runs through the Challenge Family race page.
How the last two editions went
The first edition drew more than 6,600 visitors to the island, with athletes praising the organisation and the scenery. The second edition, held on 31 January 2026, was won by Jonas Schomburg of Germany in 3:13:52 and Katrine Græsbøll Christensen of Denmark in 3:37:45. Christensen said the highlight was two gazelles sprinting across the road close to her mid-race, which is not something you get on most bike courses.
Why Sir Bani Yas works so well
The island is a wildlife reserve with thousands of free-roaming animals, mangroves for kayaking and resorts built for switching off. Race, then recover with a safari drive, a paddle through the mangroves or a long lunch. Families who come to cheer get a holiday out of it too.
Getting there and where to stay
Where: Sir Bani Yas Island, Al Dhafra region, reached by boat from Jebel Dhanna, roughly two and a half hours’ drive west of Abu Dhabi city.
Race hotel: a cruise ship docks at the island on race weekend and doubles as the official floating hotel, with sea transfers, cabins, meals and entertainment included in the cabin price. Mainland hotels with special rates are the alternative.
Contact and registration: challengefamily.com
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Book the cruise ship cabin early if you are racing with family in tow. It solves transfers, meals and bike logistics in one go, and once cabins sell out you are looking at an early-morning drive and boat crossing from the mainland on race day.
Want more ways to get out of the city? Browse our pick of outdoor things to do in Abu Dhabi.
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