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Some 800 places are available for the inaugural ADIT, charged at US$180 and US$123 for the long and short distances respectively. For further information and to register for ADIT, please go to http://www.abudhabitriathlon.com/
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Having lost a leg at birth due to an agenesis handicap, the 27-year-old Moroccan will compete against many of the world’s top athletes as he seeks to promote the ability of overcoming adversity in sport.
The former African triathlete handisports champion has earmarked ADIT, which already has 750 athletes from 30 countries signed up, as his next major challenge.
“I am really looking forward to coming down to Abu Dhabi, and it will be my first visit to the emirate. There are some challenging elements to the course which will be interesting and it is positive that we are seeing more triathlon events take place in the Middle East,” said Lahna, the only Arab paratriathlete to finish an Ironman event.
Facing a supremely challenging 3kms swim, 200kms cycle and finishing 20kms running leg, Lahna is allowed to use additional equipment to help him round the course. For the cycling let he has a specially designed wheelchair which he powers by hand, and for the running section, he is dons a prosthetic limb.
 Despite the obvious challenges, Lahna says he is relishing the chance to test his mettle in ADIT, which continues to receive international endorsement with US-based Triathlete Magazine, the world's largest triathlon publication, declaring it as the ‘most hotly anticipated new race in 2010’.
“I think the hardest event I ever did was the Palmero Half-Marathon, where after a very long trip, the airline lost my baggage, which meant I didn’t have my wheelchair. I was devastated that I would have to return to Morocco not having done the event, so I borrowed a pair of crutches and ran the 21kms event. It was very slow going and everyone passed me by until I was in last. My wrists started to hurt near the end but I just couldn’t give up as all the spectators were cheering me on, so I made it to the finish line; it was quite a feeling,” said Lahna, who is one day hoping to be sponsored to help him meet his dreams of competing at the highest level.
 "I know Abu Dhabi will be a real test, but I think I am prepared both mentally and physically. One of my key goals is to become a Paralympics winner in 2016 and events like the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon are critical in my preparation. I also hope my participation will serve to inspire other Arabs with disabilities to take it up. Triathlon is a unique sport in that disabled athletes can compete alongside the able-bodied on an even platform, which is extremely positive.”
Lahna is one of a number of paratriathletes competing in the inaugural US$250,000 ADIT, which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA). Spain’s Emilio Molina is also racing in the emirate to raise money to help disabled="disabled" children under the banner, Tri For Causes. As part of the scheme, Molina and contributors will donate to charity one Euro for every kilometre he covers in competition throughout 2010.
“I am looking forward to coming to Abu Dhabi, finishing the triathlon to raise money and to inspire all the kids with disabilities in the emirate to go out there and follow my example. I’ve never been to that part of the world before so I am really excited to see the culture and heritage in Abu Dhabi,” said Molina, who will donate the proceeds raised from ADIT to ASTRID21 Foundation - a non-profit organisation with a primary objective of helping people with Down Syndrome or other mental disabilities.
The adrenaline-pumping ADIT’s 223kms ‘pure power’ course marks the ex-Europe debut of a race of this length and discipline distances. The route has been specially designed to take in a host of Abu Dhabi city landmarks. A second 111.5kms route, which can be run as a team relay event, is also available, with both distances open to elites and amateurs.
The ADIT format, with a finishing running leg shorter than typical Ironman events, allows athletes to recover faster and compete more often – a factor which has been identified as crucial to international triathlon community success.
ADIT’s opening swim leg takes place in the lagoon of the iconic Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Competitors will them cycle past some of the destination’s most iconic sights including Emirates Palace, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest, and along Abu Dhabi’s signature Corniche - all under the safety of completely closed roads.
The route will then go east of the city over Saadiyat Island, the 27 square kilometre natural island which is 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, and on to the destination’s emerging entertainment hub of Yas Island - home to the highly successful 2009 Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where they will compete on the same circuit as many of the world’s top race drivers.
The athletes will then run back to the Corniche through the Heritage Village to the west of the city.
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