Jordan landscape inspires UK national to organise triathlon

JORDAN VALLEY — The "beautiful landscape" of Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark inspired Briton Matt Loveland to organise a triathlon and duathlon in the area every year.

"When I visited the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark, I was struck by the beauty of the location and its potential to host a triathlon. So I proposed the idea to the assistant director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, Abdel Rahman Sultan," Loveland told The Jordan Times in an interview on Saturday. 

"He was very enthusiastic about the idea and we agreed to work together to create Jordan’s first adventure triathlon," he said on the sidelines of the second Jordan Valley Triathlon & Duathlon, in which 61 people representing 18 nationalities took part.

"I founded the event mainly out of a love for the outdoors. I had competed in such events in the mountains of England and I want to provide an opportunity for the people of Jordan to enjoy a similar experience," said Loveland, founder of the event's organiser Experience Jordan.

The race, held in cooperation with Friends of the Earth and Free Adventures, is an off-road adventure triathlon and duathlon.  

The triathlon combines open-water swimming, on and off-road cycling and cross-country running, while the Duathlon consists of a cross-country run, a cycle leg and a second cross-country run.

Loveland said the event aims to get people to explore the outdoors and help promote healthy living. 

"Once you are registered for an event like a triathlon, it provides you with a lot of motivation to eat healthy and to go to the gym throughout the whole year to prepare for race day."

"With the combination of four different races — both a long and short triathlon and duathlon — we provided the opportunity for people of different levels of fitness to participate. Furthermore, the duathlon provided an opportunity for people who are weaker swimmers to participate," he added.

"Also, the setting was amazingly beautiful… People enjoyed the race, although they certainly found it challenging."

The winner of the men’s sprint triathlon, Jordanian Firas Al Hamoudi, broke last year’s record by over 30 minutes. 

"I represent Jordan in international races and in the Middle East as well. The race was super cool. I really enjoyed the running part. It’s a good time to do this race… in this area," Hamoudi said.

Canadian James Jules Lynton participated in the event as a volunteer with Friends of the Earth. "It was a great race, and there were a lot of good competitors… It was a lot of fun," Lynton added.