Submitted for Al Rawi, the Higher Colleges of Technology's journal:

Three Al Ain Womens College staff and one member of the Abu Dhabi Emirate Police ensured that the interior Oasis City was represented at the AC Delco Aquathon on 25 October 2001, in Dubai.

The Burj Al Arab silhouetted against the setting sun made a stunning back drop for the competition in which about 80 men and women swam either 800 m or 400 m off the Jumairah Beach Hotel, then laced up their sneakers to run 5 km or 2.5 km along the beach road.

The Al Ain contingent all completed the full course and posted results across the board: Peter Scoots, 33:10 (four minutes after the leader); Rashid Mohammed Al Ameri, AD Police, 34:08; Philip Almond, 39:20; and Patrick Berting, 41:37.

Prior to the start of the race organizers requested one minute of silence in memory of regular aquathon participant Purvis McDougall, husband of AAWC instructor Martha, who passed away as a result of a cycling accident in Canada last summer. This race, put on by the Dubai Tri Club, is one of a number that are held annually in the UAE. Those seeking further information on triathlons may visit the Dubai Tri Clubs website: http:

Patrick Berting