Colucci and Wellington capture top honours
Brazilian Reinaldo Colucci, left, and Chrissie Wellington from England are all smiles after winning the Bangkok Triathlon at the Rama VIII Bridge yesterday.
|
|
|
[TRIATHLON] Brazilian Reinaldo Colucci outclassed the top field to win the inaugural Bangkok Triathlon yesterday.
A total of 190 triathletes, including 20 women, started off the gruelling three-sport competition from the Rama VIII Bridge. Colucci, who won the Laguna Phuket Triathlon last December, was in awesome form, leading from start to finish. The tall Brazilian completed the race in one hour 47 minutes and 32 seconds in the exhausting competition which consisted of a 1.5-km swim in the Chao Phya River, a 40-km bike on the Rama VIII Bridge and a 10-km run under the bridge. "It was a tough race on a hot day. The swim in the Chao Phya River was also very challenging, since you had to swim in the choppy waters," Colucci said. "I think the organisers might have faced many problems to stage the race for the first time and I doubt it very much whether it will take place in the future," added Colucci, who captured last month's Mekhong Triathlon in Mukdaharn, his second win in Thailand. Colucci received the prestigious King's Cup plus Bt70,000 cash for the victory in the Men's Open of the Olympic Distance category. Briton Hary Wiltshire (1:50.40) took home Bt50,000 and Benjamin Sanson of France was third (1:58.36), collecting Bt30,000. In the Women's Open, Briton Chrissie Wellington, who finished second in Mukdaharn, ran away with the crown and the Bt70,000 cash after crossing the finish line in 1:59.28. Thailand's Nutcha Pianprasob and Malaysian Fiona Lim were timed at 2:21.36 and 2:23.45 to finish second and third respectively. The action-packed competition was held to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King, while all proceeds will go to HM the King's charities and helping those who are afflicted with leprosy and HIV. The race was organised by the Rajpracha Samasai Foundation, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Government Housing Bank, Petroleum Authority of Thailand and the Nation Multimedia Group.
Teerapot Taweewanabul The Nation
|
