Team Shaleem Powers in at PDO Triathlon

Athletes from across Oman and the UAE gathered to compete at the PDO Recreation Club to challenge for team and individual prizes.

In a blaze of glory, Shaleem Petroleum men's team claimed second place behind a team consisting of top Omani international athletes to take its place on the winner's podium. "Congratulations to Theodore Pender, Michel Le Fur and Saleh Al Wahaibi - Team Shaleem - for a fantastic performance against some very tough domestic and international competition. I know how hard they've trained for this," comments Mark Hobbs, General Manager of Shaleem Petroleum

The triathlon started at 8.30am with a 750 metre swim in the PDO Bay followed by a 16.5 kilometre cycle and a 5.5 kilometre road run around the PDO site.

Leading the charge for Team Shaleem was emerging British School Muscat Marlins swimming talent Theodore Pender: "The weather was perfect, but swimming in the open water in January is always a bit chilly" says 13 year-old Pender. "I dived into the sea and started to power on and follow the crowd, my main aim was to try and keep pace with Khalid Al Khulaibi, Olympic and Asian Beach Games swimmer. I should have looked more often because I got blown off course with a few others and had to swim against the current. When I climbed out of the water in third place I knew I'd swum hard because it took a little while before I got my balance back."

Team captain and popular veteran cyclist, Michel Le Fur said: "We knew we had a good chance of finishing in the top four and have been working closely with each other to maximize our overall performance. Coming in second was a great reward for all the hours of training we've put in." Le Fur went on to add: "It's important that we acknowledge all those who organized and contributed to this key event in the local sports calendar. There was a great turn out and a wonderful spirit. Indeed, events like this play such a critical role in promoting sport in Oman and helping foster community bonds."

Completing the Team Shaleem line-up was Muscat Roadrunner, Saleh Al Wahaibi: "It was worth it for the perfect conditions and scenic course alone although I knew the competition was going to be tough. I set out at a fairly quick pace and the first few kilometers ticked over very nicely and I felt strong. The last kilometre or so is always tough, but I could feel the finish line and with that the pain started to numb a little."

Sponsorship funds raised by Theodore Pender and donated by Shaleem Petroleum will be presented to the BSM Marlins Swim Team.

Applauding Team Shaleem on their superb performance, David Rogers, Director of Swimming at BSM said: "Community-minded companies like Shaleem Petroleum are essential for keeping sport alive and vibrant in the local community. When I spoke to Shaleem Petroleum management I was very interested in their new philosophy on health and safety and its extension from the workplace into the home an family. I do think it's important to remember swimming here. It's crucial that children can swim, not to just to compete and win, as marvellous as that is, but also as a route to personal safety which is particularly pertinent in a country which has such a long coastline and so many water-filled wadis."