Muscat – Germany’s Christoph Mattner won the Experience Oman Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship in Muscat on Saturday, finishing in 3 hours and 51 minutes. France’s Alexander Keil placed second in 3:53, followed by Portugal’s Rafael Dominguez in 3:55.

The race, part of the global Ironman 70.3 World Series, was held at Qurum Beach and drew 1,049 athletes from 82 countries, according to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT). The event offers qualification slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Competitors completed a 1.9km swim in the Sea of Oman, a 90km cycle along coastal roads and a 21.1km run.

MHT said the turnout underlined Oman’s growing profile on the endurance sports calendar and its ability to host international events.

Anwar bin Saeed al Balushi, Director of Tourism Events at MHT, said the championship supports the sultanate’s strategy to develop sports tourism and generate economic activity across aviation, hospitality and transport sectors. He added that cooperation with the Ironman Group helps position Oman in key international markets.

Alongside the main race, organisers staged the Iron Child Race to promote youth participation in sport and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Authorities also launched a unified digital tourism booking platform during the event. The platform includes more than 200 service providers, offering over 350 tourism experiences, 56 packages and more than 140 hotel options. Officials said the initiative aims to improve visitor access and enhance the economic impact of major sporting events.

Mattner said the race required months of preparation. “It was a complete test of endurance and discipline,” he said after the finish. He praised the course and the level of competition.

Chinese athlete Guo Tia described his participation as a long-term goal, citing structured training and planning as key factors. Omani competitor Mahmoud al Qasmi said racing in Muscat reflected the growth of individual sports in the country and encouraged young Omanis to pursue international competition.

The closing ceremony included prize distribution across age categories.