The world’s top male triathletes are heading to Dubai for a race that wasn’t on the schedule just a few weeks ago.
On a November morning at Al Mamzar, the men’s professional race starts at 10am, with the women setting off five minutes later. Both pro fields will race the same course on the same morning. The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) added the men’s race at short notice, with reigning T100 World Champion Hayden Wilde leading the field.
Below, you’ll find the schedule, athletes to watch, details on Wilde’s double-header, and how to watch or take part. If you’ve ever wondered what professional triathlon looks like up close, this weekend is a great chance to see it.
The Race That Almost Wasn’t: Why Dubai Got a Men’s Pro Race
A change to the calendar created the opening. The Saudi Arabia T100 in Jeddah was due to host the men’s race on November 27. This week, it was confirmed for April 16–17, 2027, leaving the men’s field one race short before the season finale.
The PTO’s solution was to add a men’s race in Dubai. CEO Sam Renouf explained:
“With the Saudi Arabia T100 moving to April, it was important that our men had a fourth race before the World Championship Final, and Dubai was the natural place for it.”
Renouf also thanked Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Sports Council for “making it happen at such short notice.”
What the change means
- Dubai is now unique. Apart from December’s World Championship Final in Qatar, it is the only stop on this year’s T100 Triathlon World Tour to host both professional races.
- The stakes are high. It’s the final regular-season race for both fields before the world titles are decided.
- The men get a race, not a gap. A long break in the schedule can disrupt training, race sharpness, and points strategy. Adding a fourth race keeps the title chase moving.
Quick definitions: The T100 Triathlon World Tour is a PTO-run professional series that ends with a World Championship Final. The Race to Qatar standings are the points table that determines who qualifies for that final.
The Men to Watch: Starters and Storylines
Hayden Wilde is the headline name, but he’ll have plenty of competition on race morning.
- Hayden Wilde: Double Olympic medallist, reigning T100 World Champion, and current leader of the Race to Qatar standings. He was also crowned 70.3 World Champion in Nice in September.
- Jake Birtwhistle (Australia): Second in the standings and one of the leading challengers.
- Lasse Nygaard Priester (Germany): Third in the standings and also chasing.
- Mika Noodt: Returns after a podium finish in Dubai last year.
- Kyle Smith: Wilde’s compatriot and training partner, who finished third behind him at the French Riviera T100 in September.
Two storylines to follow
1. Can anyone close the gap before Qatar? Wilde leads the standings, and a strong result in Dubai would help him protect that position. For Birtwhistle and Priester, it’s a final regular-season chance to move closer.
2. Training partners, racing each other. Wilde and Smith train together, so they know each other’s strengths well. That could make a late-race battle between them even more compelling.
Wilde knows the region. Last year, he based himself in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the Qatar final, where he won the world title. As he put it:
“I enjoy coming to Dubai to train and race, so next week will be no different.”
The Double-Header Challenge: WTCS Abu Dhabi, Then Dubai T100
Wilde isn’t only racing the T100. He also plans to compete in the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Abu Dhabi Sprint on Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the Dubai start.
The WTCS is the elite series run by World Triathlon, the sport’s governing body. Its Sprint race is shorter and faster than the T100, making this a demanding test across two very different formats of multisport racing.
Wilde sees the order as an advantage:
“If there’s a chance to have a crack at both the WTCS Abu Dhabi and Dubai T100, then I’m all in. Doing the shorter race first should actually help. On the French Riviera last year it was the other way around. But we’ll see how we go.”
Why this matters (and what you can learn from it)
Racing a short, hard event the day before a longer one puts recovery to the test. For everyday athletes, the takeaway is simple: sequence matters. Whether you’re planning training sessions or entering back-to-back events, the order can change how the second effort feels.
Wilde’s comment is a useful reminder to stay adaptable. He’s confident, but he also says, “we’ll see how we go.” Even world champions adjust as they go.
Race Day at Al Mamzar: Schedule, Viewing, and Amateur Participation
The schedule
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Friday, November 13 (afternoon) | WTCS Abu Dhabi Sprint (Wilde plans to race) |
| Saturday, November 14, 10:00am | Dubai T100 men’s pro race |
| Saturday, November 14, 10:05am | Dubai T100 women’s pro race |
| November 13–15 | Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend at Al Mamzar |
The weekend is one of the flagship international sporting events of the 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge, the city-wide fitness campaign. Renouf said:
“Having the world’s best men and women at Al Mamzar during the Dubai Fitness Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to see the sport at its very best.”
How to watch
Both professional races will be shown live on the PTO’s global broadcast network. Check the PTO’s official channels for the platform available in your region.
Watching from Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America? Dubai is 10 hours ahead of Mexico City, so the men’s 10am start falls around midnight Friday night (about 3am in Brasília). Set an alarm, or catch the replay. Si sigues la carrera desde México, ¡prepara el café!
How to take part
Amateurs can take part in Sprint, Olympic and T100 distance events, as well as Sprint and Olympic relays. It’s a rare chance to race on the same weekend, and at the same venue, as the world’s best professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Dubai T100 Triathlon take place?
The Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend will run from November 13 to 15 at Al Mamzar. The professional races are scheduled for Saturday, November 14.
Who is headlining the men’s professional race?
Reigning T100 World Champion Hayden Wilde is among the headline athletes. He leads the T100 Race to Qatar standings and won the 70.3 World Championship in Nice in September.
What time do the professional races start?
The men’s race starts at 10am, five minutes before the women’s race. Both races will take place on the same morning.
Why has a men’s professional race been added to the Dubai T100?
The men’s race was added after the Saudi Arabia T100 in Jeddah was postponed until April 16–17, 2027. Dubai will provide the men with a fourth race before the World Championship Final in Qatar.
Will Hayden Wilde compete in another race before the Dubai T100?
Wilde plans to race the WTCS Abu Dhabi Sprint distance event on Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the Dubai T100 on Saturday.
Which other leading athletes are expected to compete?
Australia’s Jake Birtwhistle and Germany’s Lasse Nygaard Priester, second and third in the standings, lead the challengers. The field also includes Mika Noodt and Wilde’s training partner Kyle Smith.
How can viewers watch the professional races?
Both the men’s and women’s professional races will be broadcast live on the Professional Triathletes Organisation’s global broadcast network.
What race distances are available to amateur participants?
Amateurs can take part in Sprint, Olympic and T100 distance events, as well as Sprint and Olympic relays.
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