Oman to Host First-Ever IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Relay Championship in Dhofar

Dhofar Gears Up for Historic IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Relay Event

Salalah: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in cooperation with the IRONMAN Group and Middle East International Events Company, announced the launch of the IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Relay Championship, which will be held in Dhofar Governorate on 24 October 2026.

The announcement was made during a press conference held in Salalah. The championship will take place as part of the Discover Oman IRONMAN 70.3 Dhofar 2026 race in partnership with Hawana Salalah Resort.

The event marks the first team relay championship of its kind in the Middle East within the IRONMAN 70.3 series, allowing athletes to compete individually or as relay teams.

The race consists of a 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre cycling stage and 21.1-kilometre run. Individual participants complete all three disciplines, while relay teams divide the stages among three members before crossing the finish line together.

Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the championship represents a new milestone in strengthening the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a leading destination for sports tourism.

He noted that the event reflects the success of the Ministry’s strategic partnership with the IRONMAN Group in attracting world-class sporting events that diversify Oman’s tourism offerings, increase visitor numbers and support economic activity across multiple sectors.

Al Ghassani added that the championship aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by attracting high-quality international tourism events and reinforcing the Sultanate’s presence on the global sports tourism map.

Talal Hamid Al Khasibi, Director General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, said hosting the championship forms part of ongoing efforts to position Dhofar as a year-round tourism destination through the organisation of international events targeting diverse visitor segments.

He added that the event provides an opportunity to showcase Dhofar’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and tourism experiences while supporting hotel occupancy and tourism-related businesses across the governorate.

Mohammed Khalfan Al Obaidani, Chief Executive Officer of Middle East International Events Company, said the relay format opens the door for a broader range of athletes and amateurs to participate in the IRONMAN experience by competing as teams rather than completing all race disciplines individually.

He added that the championship will enable government institutions, private companies, universities and sports clubs to field teams, promoting teamwork, physical fitness and community participation while offering competitors the opportunity to race alongside elite international triathletes.

Engineer Ashraf Naseem, Chief Executive Officer of Muriya, said hosting IRONMAN events at Hawana Salalah for the fifth consecutive year reflects the success of the partnership in establishing Dhofar as a premier destination for international sports tourism.

He expressed confidence that hosting the inaugural Discover Oman IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Relay Championship would further strengthen Dhofar’s reputation as a regional hub for major international sporting events.