Bahrain: Valuable prizes for endurance championship winners

Gulf-daily-news.com

March 16, 2013

THREE Toyota SUVs will await the top three finishers at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, hosting the Nasser bin Hamad International Endurance Race today.

Stables from across the kingdom have prepared their horses ahead of this prestigious event, which gets underway at 6am.

Participants will come from well-renowned local stables, including the Royal Endurance Team and Al Khalidiya, who have a vast riding experience as they head into this battle as favourites.

The championship features a 120km ride for seniors as well as an international 80km qualifying race, also open for senior riders.

The 120km ride was divided into five stages, starting with 30km for the first stage. The second stage will also cover 30km, while each of the remaining three stages will each be over 20km.

As for the international 80km qualifying ride, it consists of three stages. The first and second will each cover 30km, to be followed by 20km for the third.

This ride will be held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The organising committee, headed by Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has approved the total weight for both races.

Participants' weight in the 120km event should not exceed 75kg with the saddle, while a maximum weight of 70kg for each riders is allowed in the 80km race.

The veterinary area, meanwhile, yesterday hosted the veterinary examination held at the endurance village, in the presence of Shaikh Nasser and race organisers.

Shaikh Nasser said he believes that today's main race promises to be exciting and breathtaking until the final steps of the final stage due to the importance of this event and the keenness of the local riders to take part.

Shaikh Nasser thanked the working committees, who spared to effort in preparing for the races and pulled off great success in organsing last year's edition.

The Royal Endurance Team captain also expressed appreciation to Shaikh Khalid for backing the federation in organising all races in general, and this competition, in specific.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid affirmed the importance of having a variety of races in this weekend event, and giving all stables and its respective riders the opportunity to participate.

He stated that this race is regarded one of the distinctive events this season, which comes within a series championships organised by the federation.