JLL, the world’s leading real estate investment and advisory firm, in partnership with multi-sports events specialists, RACE.ME, is preparing to host the series climax later this month, in association with the Dubai Sports Council.
Hosted on the outskirts of the Emirate in the grounds of the stunning Jebel Ali Resorts and Hotels, the three-race-series has once again showcased JLL MENA’s commitment to being actively involved in the community whilst helping to drive the message of staying fit and healthy.
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Record numbers will compete in the third race.
Ahead of the eagerly-anticipated triathlon this month, Sport360’s resident runner Stuart Appleby caught up with Alan Robertson to discuss JLL’s renewed sponsorship and the race’s supreme progress in recent years.
Q) Triathlon is one of the world’s fastest growing and popular sports – as we’ve seen with the large number of people turning out for the JLL series. You must be pleased with its continued success?
A) The series is now more and more recognised on the calendar, people are talking about it and the continuity of the events is very important. The series has been sold-out throughout and we’re delighted with the levels of participation and interest. Our initial sponsorship was for three years and we’ve now renewed the agreement for another three years. We understand triathlon and we were very keen to keep this going, that’s why we were so keen to support the races when the opportunity came up initially.
We wanted to do a community event and a triathlon ticked lots of our boxes, and as a firm, it’s one that we have a relationship with – given a lot of staff take part in this particular series. Everyone from total novices to elite athletes, from juniors to super veterans – it’s really a great way of capturing a very wide portion of the market and a lot of competitors work for organisations that are clients and potential clients of JLL. Putting something back into the local area is what we were keen to do and it makes commercial sense too.
What is it about triathlon that appeals to JLL?
It’s got something for everyone and triathlon is one of those sports where a beginner can happily compete alongside an international athlete. It’s a sport where people can achieve their objectives together. The idea for the series initially came about through Tri-Dubai but they needed support to help get it off and running. I decided we’ll go for it and it’s been growing ever since.
I’m very keen we stay involved in the sport and for me it’s about giving back. I feel it is very easy for multinational companies to be regarded as slightly mercenary, coming in, doing the business and shipping the money back home before clearing off after a few years. But for JLL, when we open new offices and we have now been in Dubai for a decade, we do like to become embedded in the local community and triathlon is one way of doing that. It’s a good feeling for our employees and hopefully we get some respect and recognition for getting involved and doing it.
People of all ages and abilities can take part.
How are preparations going ahead of Race 3 at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, the finale to the series?
I would be very disappointed if we didn’t sell out. It’s the final event and it’s a popular time of the year to have it. This time around, we have an additional category for the real estate and construction industry. We are now beginning to market it to our competitors, clients and firms – so it’s great we have a number of people taking part from our industry.
Do you have any plans to expand the JLL Triathlon Series into other areas?
I would be happy to look at having JLL Triathlon Series in other cities and regions like Abu Dhabi or Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. We are always happy to look at new possibilities to get involved in other sports as well. For the time being, we have an excellent series of events in the UAE and we look forward to that continuing.
THE DISTANCES
The series includes individual and team categories, with the Sprint Distance and Super Sprint Distance Triathlon offered in both. The Super Sprint includes a 375m swim, 10km bike ride and 2.5km run, whilst the more challenging Sprint Distance will see participants tackle a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
THE VENUE
THE COURSE
The course includes swimming in the hotel’s beautiful sea starting from the beach area, before running through the hotel grounds to transition to the bike course, followed by the run which includes a new and technical 2.5km loop taking in the picturesque marina.
THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER TOO!
Visit www.race-me-events.com or visit www.premieronline.com.
