Haitham Hasan Al-Subaihi, Etihad Airways’ VP for sales — mid Atlantic, has congratulated Sunday’s winning triathletes of the Etihad Airways Tri Club Challenge, Hilary Cairns and Shawn Loper, in Washington, DC.

The event marks the first anniversary of Etihad Airways’ daily service between Abu Dhabi and Washington, DC, and continues to promote the sporting links between these two capital cities as well as further strengthen the cultural and commercial ties between the UAE and the United States.

The sponsorship of the Nation’s Triathlon ties in with the airline’s existing sponsorship of the Tri Yas event in Abu Dhabi, and encourages greater participation from triathletes wishing to take part in either race, with the development of tailored event packages that include the shipment of bikes, special hotel rates and event entry fees.

The Nation’s Triathlon is an international distance event comprising a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike course, and a 10K run through the scenic inner city and suburbs of Washington, DC.

Etihad Airways established the Etihad Airways Tri Club Challenge as a "race within the race" to encourage greater participation from the many local and international triathlete clubs taking part in the Nation’s Triathlon.

The two winners were each presented with round-trip tickets for two on Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, together with complimentary entry into the Tri Yas triathlon, and three night’s hotel accommodation.