NNA – The "Sidon III Triathlon 2022 – Saida Olympic Triathlon" kicked off from Sidon’s waterfront area this morning, organized by the Sidon International Marathon Association, under the supervision of the Lebanese Triathlon Federation and in cooperation with the Sidon Municipality, YASA, Hammoud University Hospital and Front Row.

This year, the triathlon carried the slogan, “Your life is an entrustment...Keep it!” It included 3 consecutive races: swimming, cycling and running, in which more than 150 competitors participated as individuals in all races, or as teams (one for each bicycle race, swimming or running).

Amidst security measures that included closing the entire length of the race track on the Rafic Hariri Marine Boulevard (from the Rafic Hariri Sports City in the north to the Zaatari Mosque), the start sign was given at seven in the morning with a 1.5 km swimming race from Saida Island (Al Zira) to the popular beach. This was followed by a 40-kilometer bike race on a track extending from the Zaatari Mosque to the Martyr Rafic Hariri Sports City at the northern entrance to Sidon, then a 10 kilometer running race, in addition to two swimming and jogging races for participants of ages under 16.

President of the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development, former MP Bahia Hariri, and Sidon’s Mayor, Eng. Mohammad Al-Saudi, followed-up on the triathlon activities throughout the day and took part in the award presentation ceremony for the winners, in presence of MPs Michel Moussa and Ghada Ayoub Abu Fadel and several dignitaries from the region.

========R.Sh.