Outdoor endurance challenge arrives in Abu Dhabi

An Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) initiative, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, which will run from December 9-14, will see 30 crack teams from 18 countries pit their wits and skills against a wide diversity of terrain in the ultimate outdoor endurance challenge.

The inaugural Adventure Challenge is being jointly organised by ADTA and Community, the French outdoor sport events management specialists with over 15 years global experience organising RAID challenges, and is primed to become a regular fixture on the international Adventure Racing circuit.

"This demanding event will showcase the stunning geographic diversity of this emirate including the islands around Abu Dhabi, the historic coastal town of Mirfa, the meandering terrain of the Liwa desert, and the rugged splendour of the Jebel Hafeet heights outside of the Garden City of Al Ain," said His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADTA.

"This is the latest strategic initiative in our international campaign to raise the emirate's global profile and position the UAE capital as a world-class leisure and major events destination.

"The long-term objective is to attract three million tourists a year to the capital by 2015, and the international television coverage of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will show the watching world the breadth of the UAE capital's landscape offerings. It will be a gripping week of adventure, exploration, stamina and determination."

The Adventure Challenge will be a stern test of endurance credentials, with massive bivouacs - night camps - awaiting competitors at the end of daily action.

The logistical requirements of the bivouacs stretch from huge communal majlis tents, extensive medical facilities, press and TV production sections, and team camp bases designed for 100 tents.

"Endurance and adventure challenges are growing in popularity the world over, and the logical expansion into Abu Dhabi - where sea, deserts and mountains create a perfect backdrop for competitive action - is the talk of the sport," said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.

With the Challenge zigzagging the entire emirate, UAE sports fans, the people of Al Ain and those living in and around the Liwa Desert are expected to line the various stages to cheer on the daring athletes.

The inspirational athletes will be the latest role models - following the professional golfers, motorsport drivers, football icons and cricket stars who've participated in a series of events in the capital this year - for aspiring Emirati sportsmen and women to see up close and personal.

"This challenge will be true test of character for all the participating teams, many of which will be coming to the UAE for the very first time. We have carefully crafted the course to take in the contrasting terrains on offer, from mountain passes to far-stretching desert to brilliant blue seas," said Alain Gaimard, Executive Manager - Outdoor, Community.

"I believe that Abu Dhabi has all the right pedigree to become one of the most unique and challenging destinations on the global adventure racing circuit."

The Challenge begins with the teams taking to the water for a mammoth seven to 10 hour sea kayaking expedition where teams have a compulsory rest on one of five islands off the Al Dhabeia coast.

A 06:00 start and a further 10-14 hours of sea kayaking awaits the teams on day two, as they navigate the ocean between Al Dhabeia and the traditional coastal town of Mirfa, eventually clocking up 118 kilometres. The teams, officials and press will then be bussed to the second bivouac in the Liwa Desert.

Day three involves the teams running through the towering dunes to Al Batin in preparation for day four's camel trekking to the eastern Liwa Oasis village of Hamim, with conservative estimates putting the completion time between 25 and 30 hours over the two days.

The teams complete a gruelling mountain biking test on the Challenge's penultimate day taking them from Hamim to the picturesque town of Umm Azzimul, from where they will be transferred to the final camp in the desert hamlet of Mubazzarah.

A host of different disciplines are in store for the challengers on the final day with adventure running kick-starting proceedings, before mountain biking, a desert hike, cross orienteering, and rope and mountaineering activities end the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in Al Ain's historic Jahili Fort.

The ADTA is working very closely with a plethora of governmental and commercial bodies to successfully stage the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge including the Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), Critical National Infrastructure Authority, Abu Dhabi Police, Boarders Guard, Civil Defense, and Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Municipalities.