December is almost upon us and, as the festive season draws near, 40 teams from around world will be lucky enough to get a jump on the fun by competing in this year’s bigger and better Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.

Once again, the race start is in Abu Dhabi city with the same subtle and exciting twist as last year: an explosive 30km circuit from Corniche Beach, around Lulu Island and back, involving the race’s core disciplines of biking, running and kayaking, with a refreshing 900m dip in the bay in case you overheat. This showcase opener is merely a hectic hors d’oeuvre to the main dish of the day – a 33km sea-kayaking, outward leg leading from the beach, through shallow dolphin-frequented waters, to a bivouac on a small island north of Saadiyat Island.

Day 2 starts early (06:30) with another sea-kayaking section back to Corniche Beach, where you can either paddle the full, more competitive 80km or opt for a shorter 50km route. At the end of the day, a transfer by bus will take you to an atmospheric desert bivouac, by the towering Liwa Dunes, on the edge of the notorious Rub Al Kahli (Empty Quarter).

Get a good night’s sleep because things get really serious around now – it’s big, it’s baking and it’s beautiful but you need to keep your wits about you if you are going up against the world’s best in the world’s most dastardly desert. Here too, serious contenders for the top-spots will go the distance, trekking 120km through the dunes, while lesser mortals will make do with a no-less staggering 70km option to the second desert-bivouac.

Day 5 already and a 07:00 group start awaits you for the opening 33km MTB section to the Qasr Al Sarab just outside Hamim, where all teams will regroup at 10:30 for the start of the day’s final MTB leg – 55km along a sand-swept, desert track followed by a bus transfer to the bivouac at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, just outside the delightful Al Ain city.

You might not have much left to give by the final day but whatever it is, this blend of mountain trekking, MTB and running will take it all. An opening 21km trek, including rope works, will take you 700m up the Jebel Hafeet mountain where, taking to your bikes, you’ll set off for a blistering 37km pedal into the city along tree-lined thoroughfares to the Al Ain Oasis, the verdant heart of the city. Only a 3.2km sprint separates you from the finishing line, at the Al Ain Museum, and an overwhelming sense of victory, regardless of where you stand in the ranking…

Follow Checkpoint Zero’s live coverage.