Triathleteswill be put to the test
[ATHLETICS] It will be a test of endurance for more than 300 triathletes when they gather for the inaugural Bangkok Triathlon under the Rama VIII Bridge tomorrow.
The biennial event will be contested over two courses - Olympic and short-sprint distances and split into two categories - individual and team relay. The Olympic distance event will feature a 1.5km swim in the Chao Phraya River, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run starting on the Rama VIII Bridge, while the short-sprint event will consist of a 400m swim, a 14km bike race and a 3.5km run. Among the participants in the gruelling race will be athletes from Germany, England and Sweden. Registration will take place today from 10am at Supatra Riverhouse, Soi Wat Rakhang. Prize money of more than Bt500,000 will be on offer in the competition. Organising committee chairman Suleemas Sutthisamphat said the event would raise funds for HM the King's charities apart from promoting health and tourism. "I think a large number of athletes will submit their registration before the deadline on Saturday evening. I also hope that more foreign tourists will travel to Bangkok and its vicinities for sight-seeing after they take part in the event," she said. The event is co-sponsored by the Raj Pracha Samasai Foundation, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Nation Multimedia Group, the Royal Thai Police Bureau and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Teerapot Taweewanabul The Nation
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