The T100 Triathlon is back in Dubai for its third year, this time moving to Al Mamzar Beach and adding a new Olympic distance race. Organizers have already signed up 2,000 athletes from 57 countries. This marks the first time both the start and finish will be at Al Mamzar Beach. The event now anchors the final stages of the T100 Race to Qatar, according to WAM via Big News Network.
This year, the T100 introduces an Olympic distance event: a 1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run. The main 100km race and sprint options remain. Relay formats for both Olympic and sprint distances are now available, letting teams and less experienced athletes join in. These changes come as the Dubai Fitness Challenge celebrates its tenth year, showing the city's push for accessible, top-level sport. WAM reports that over a third of this year's athletes have raced in previous editions, showing strong community support.
The 2026 Dubai T100 Triathlon will be held from 13 to 15 November at Al Mamzar Beach, with the venue hosting the event for the first time as part of the T100 Race to Qatar season finale.
Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), said this year's event has real momentum, with more than a third of entrants returning. The move to Al Mamzar Beach puts all race activities in one spot, making it easier for fans to watch and for athletes to compete. Renouf confirmed that the professional field in Dubai will be all women, following the new T100 series format. Twenty of the world's top female triathletes will compete in a race broadcast worldwide. Gulf News notes this is the first all-female pro race for the Dubai T100 and will reach a global audience.
The timing lines up with Emirati Women's Day, which runs throughout the month. Organizers are urging Emirati women and girls to take part in all distances. This focus builds on recent gains in women's sport in the UAE, including the rise of women's aquatic events recently reported in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai T100 is also part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which in 2026 marks its tenth edition and runs from 31 October to 29 November as part of the 30x30 initiative, according to WAM via Big News Network.
The 2026 Dubai T100 Triathlon offers three race formats: the main 100km race (2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run), the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run), and the Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run). Relay options are available for both Olympic and Sprint distances, making the event accessible to a wider range of participants.
The T100 Triathlon is not just for elite athletes. It is set up as a community event, with free entry for spectators and a program that welcomes everyone from first-timers to seasoned racers. Last year, more than 3,000 athletes and 15,000 spectators took part. Organizers hope to match or beat those numbers as Dubai aims to become a global triathlon hub.
Saed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said the T100 Triathlon is now a regular part of Dubai's sports calendar. The move to Al Mamzar shows off a new side of the city to the world and fits with the Dubai Fitness Challenge's goal to get people of all ages and abilities active. With the event now a key part of the 30x30 initiative, Dubai is doubling down on its promise to make sport open and exciting for everyone.
By joining the Dubai Fitness Challenge and focusing on women's pro sport, the T100 Triathlon is pushing the UAE's sports scene forward. Dubai is setting a new bar for mass-participation events in the region, blending elite racing, community involvement, and a drive for inclusivity that other cities will find hard to match.
