World’s top athletes sign up for Laguna Phuket Triathlon
The Race of Legends returns next week with a strong pro athlete line up vying for US$20,000 (Bt605,500) prize purse on November 24 in Phuket. Headlining this year’s pro field is Michael Raelert (Germany) who holds three-peat LPT Championship (2015-2017).
He will be joined by Luke McKenzie (Australia), Ruedi Wild (Switzerland) who has double LPT wins in 2012 and 2013, Per van Vlerken (Germany), and Massimo Cigana (Italy) who currently holds four-time LPT champion status.
In the women’s field, sports fans will get to see top performances by LPT podium veteran Imogen Simmonds (Switzerland) whose recent impressive records includes a great debut performance in Kona, 3rd in the Nice World Championship and 2nd Frankfurt’s European Championship. Simmonds will race neck and neck with Emma Pallent (UK) and Yvonne van Vlerken (Netherlands) aka “The Flying Dutchwoman”. Beth McKenzie (USA) will also be there.
Thai triathletes will be led by Phuket-born Jaray Jearanai who holds the record as LPT’s Thai champion for 8 consecutive years (since 2011) and recently broke his own record at the World Championship in Kona.
The 26th Laguna Phuket Triathlon, comprising a 1.8km swim, a 50km bike event and a 12km run in Asia’s Laguna Phuket resort area as well as various scenic locations in Thalang District of the island, takes place on Sunday and features the short distance race the “25 For 25 Sprint”. The sold-out sprint triathlon race comprises a 0.5km swim, 18.5km bike and 6km run and is expected to draw spectators from around the world.
The 2019 LPT will also see LPT Charity Fun Run on Saturday featuring a 2km Kids run plus 5km and 10m runs and will raise funds in support of more than 400 underprivileged children in Phuket’s 7 orphanages through Children First Fund (CFF) as well as hospitals in Thailand through Kao Kon La Kao Foundatio
