As one of the first years Ironman has run the 70.3 in Dubai, there were a number of teething problems. On the whole, the race was good and well organised - and boy how the UAE knows how to take things to the next level! 

Small touches such as the welcome and post-race awards banquets were like being at an exclusive wedding, very impressive and the food was amazing. Plus in Dubai, they don't do finisher's tee shirts - they do down gilets! It made for a luxurious feel to what is a pretty luxurious place.

Swim course was changed last minute due to winds and seemed slightly long, otherwise it was fine with a beach entry and exit. The bike course was not ideal - it went up a single lane on a busy highway, which meant that not only was it extremely congested, it was also pretty dangerous due to only being separated from fast flowing traffic by a few cones. 

The congestion caused major issues for the race organisers with somewthing like 75 disqualifications - the referees seemed a bit overhwelmed and not sure they knew how to deal with it - as the majority of people didn't serve their penalties there was massive ambuiguity about who had actually been given a penalty and where to serve them.

Run course was nice, on the promenade along the beach front, with a beach finish line.

Huge problems trying to get into transition after the race - athletes were made to wait for hours and many were getting very annoyed with the seeming lack of organisation.

Other than the pretty considerasble teething problems, it would have been a great race. The course is super fast and enjoyable and I'll probably be back to racer next year - hopefully Ironman will have sorted their stuff out by then!!