Look Back: Abu Dhabi International Triathlon

Many athletes, including defending champions Eneko Llanos and Julie Dibens, returned to race in Abu Dhabi for a second time in 2011. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Germany's Faris Al-Sultan. Photo: Nils Nilsen

The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is set to take place Saturday, March 3. Here are a few photos from the past two years of Abu Dhabi racing.Photo: Nils Nilsen

The swooping glass structure in the middle of the F1 track is a hotel. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Germany's Faris Al-Sultan is a member of the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team and serves as the unofficial pro host for the event. Photo: Aaron Hersh

The heat in 2011 got to every athlete on the course. Photo: Aaron Hersh

The lights of the Emirates Palace light the beach at dawn before the race gets underway. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Chris "Macca" McCormack chose to toe the line in the 2011 race. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Frederik Van Lierde beat out the race favorites to take the win in 2011. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Bjorn Andersson showed off his cycling speed on the fast course. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Faris Al-Sultan and his Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team teammates often train in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: Aaron Hersh

There is little shelter on the bike course. Photo: Aaron Hersh

One of the main attractions of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is the opportunity to race on a Formula1 race track. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Julie Dibens is undefeated on this course. Photo: Aaron Hersh

Photo: Nils NIlsen

The Emirates Palace Hotel serves as a breathtaking backdrop to the swim course. Photo: Nils Nilsen

Spain's Eneko Llanos took the win in the inaugural version of the race. Photo: Nils Nilsen

Photo: Nils Nilsen

The course is suited to the strengths of Julie Dibens, who is one of the fastest female cyclists in the sport. Photo: Nils Nilsen

If you do decide to race, don't forget to take time out to see all that Abu Dhabi has to offer. Photo: Nils Nilsen

After the race the pros got the opportunity to tour Abu Dhabi. Photo: Aaron Hersh

The swim is made up of one big 3km lap. Photo: Nils Nilsen