Ironman 70.3, one of the toughest tests of endurance in the world, is set to return to Bahrain for this year’s Middle eastern championship, which is part of the circuit to choose the winners of the global competition.

After a gap of three years, the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain 2022 will be organised in the Gulf nation, its traditional home.

Also known as a Half Ironman, it is a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and is much more than an endurance test for the participants, perhaps the toughest in the world. The Ironman 70.3 competition is also a celebration of Middle Eastern culture over a weekend full of family-friendly events, says a press release.

In a series of races, the participants have to cover 70.3 miles (112.5 km) and hence the name Ironman 70.3. In Bahrain, the swimming competition involves covering a distance of 1.9 km which takes place in front of the Reef Island. The 90 km bicycle race involves a single lap starting from transition at the Reef Island, passing the iconic landmarks of World Trade Centre and the Bahrain International Race Circuit and then heading back to Reef Island. The third race of the championship is a 21.1 km run which also starts at the Reef Island and continues towards the Financial Harbour and then heads back to the Reef Island in the heart of the city.

In December 2019, Bahrain hosted the final races for both the 2019 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Championships. At that time, the field of contestants had an impressive list of professionals in both men’s and women’s races and packed total prize money of USD 75,000, including USD 14,000 each for winners in both men’s and women’s championship.