Tyler and Nikki Butterfield both failed to finish the inaugural Challenge Bahrain Triathlon after suffering from nausea the night before the race.

Both withdrew from Saturday’s race during the 21.1-mile run, having already completed the 1.90-kilometre swim and 90-km bike,

Tyler came out of the water in a time of 23min 5sec before finishing the bike course in 2:05:09. His wife Nikki, who finished the swim in 27.15 and the bike in 2:31:52, tweeted: “Not the best day for Tyler and I. We both went to bed last night nauseous but we were hoping for the best.”

The battle for the world’s largest prize purse — $1?million — attracted a star-studded field. In the men’s race, Germany’s Andreas Dreitz won in 3:38:23, compatriot Michael Raeler was second in 3:36:04 and Australian Tim Reed third in 03:39:26.

Denmark’s Helle Fredericksen claimed victory in the women’s event in 3:55.50, ahead of Britain’s Rachel Joyce, who was second in 3:58:15, and Jodie Swallow third in 3:58:39