Mini-triathlon added for anniversary of Phuket spectacle
Thousands of athletes and spectators are expected to attend the Laguna Phuket Triathlon this weekend
The 2018 Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) is back again this weekend and will feature the inaugural “25 For 25 Sprint” sprint-distance triathlon to mark the 25th anniversary of the event.
“The Race of Legends”, which comprises a 1.8km swim, 50km bike race and 12km run, will take place at the “Laguna Phuket” complex in Thalang District on Phuket Island on Sunday. Thousands of athletes and spectators around the world are expected to attend.
The event once again features a strong pro athlete line-up, including four-time champion Massimo Cigana of Italy, Bart Aernouts of Belgium, runner-up in the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, Stuart Hayes of England, Per van Vlerken of Germany and Marcel Zamora Perez of Spain.
In the women’s field, sports fans will get to see Emma Pallent of England, winner of the 2017 Penticton ITU Aquathon World Championships and Yvonne van Vlerken of the Netherlands, the 2008 Ironman World Championships runner-up.
Both are expected to be in a tight contest with 2004 ITU World Triathlon Championship winner Madeira Annabel Luxford of Australia.
Phuket-born Jaray Jearanai, who holds the record as LPT’s national champion for the last seven years, will hope to continue his domination of local rivals in the field.
To mark the 25th edition, LPT, Asia’s longest-standing triathlon race, will also unveil its inaugural “25 For 25 Sprint” triathlon, a 0.5km swim, 18.5km bike race and 6km run.
Saturday also sees the second annual LPT Charity Fun Run “Run for Fun, Run for Kids” (5Km, 10Km and 2Km Kids Run) to raise funds for more than 400 children in Phuket’s seven orphanages. Charity Ambassador and actress Rachwin “Koy” Wongviriya will also take part in the event.
“I am pleased that the 25th Laguna Phuket Triathlon will once again attract athletes from around the world to Phuket Province,” said race director Prapa Hemmin.
“We are expecting more than 1,200 athletes to join the race on Sunday, plus more than 2,500 to participate in the Charity Fun Run on Saturday – all will help us celebrate the race’s 25-year milestone.”
The race is expected to boost tourism on the island by more than Bt94 million in one weekend alone.
