Embarking on its 14th successful year, the Desaru-Pengerang International Long Distance & Sprint Triathlon returned to the nature's paradise of Desaru Resort where the event has long became a household name and a regular fixture on the international sporting calendar in Malaysia. The only international sporting event in the State of Johor, it was organized by Desaru Development Corporation, Johor Tourism Action Council and Johor Tourism Malaysia.
After making its debut in 1996, this prestigious event has carved a "brand name" in the international scene and has a strong following among the world's top triathletes, including our very own Malaysian triathletes. Desaru Golden Beach Hotel has been established as one of the premier locations for triathlons in the country as it has both the sea and beautiful greens that create a perfect environment for triathlon. The uniqueness of Desaru Resort's environment truly made the triathletes and enthusiastic spectators feel absorbed and soaked up by the natural beauty of flora and fauna as well as the friendliness of Desaru Resort's local communities.
The event offering both the international long distance and sprint events, was held on August 1 & 2, 2009, had challenged the triathletes in three combinations of sports, in swimming, cycling and running covering a race course from the South China Sea, the Desaru Road that stretched in between tropical rainforest and oil palm plantation.
For the long distance triathlon atheletes had competed in swimming (2kms), cycling (90kms), and running (21kms) whilst in the sprint triathlon, they had to compete in swimming (0.5km), cycling ( 18kms) and running (3kms). This multi-sport race covering three different sports had truly tested the triathlete's level of mental and physical endurance.
Every year the Desaru-Pengerang International Long Distance & Sprint Triathlon succeeded in attracting hundreds of local and international triathletes to participate as well as thousands of spectators to cheer and support the triathletes. This year the event had recorded more than 800 participants where about 600 were foreigners who came from 31 countries worldwide.
The triathletes started their race with the 2-km swim from the beach in front of Desaru Golden Beach Hotel under the close supervision by the lifeguards. Then they transited to the 90-km cycling over a kampung route through the beautiful lush greens of the rainforest and oil palm plantation. Ultimately, they had put on their running shoes to run the 21-km stretch over mostly flat paved road through the same route and head for the finish line back at Desaru Golden Beach Hotel.
While waiting for the triathletes to reach the finish line, the Desaru Golden Beach Hotel's Sunrise Coffeehouse was busy serving spectators with its Chef's signature food. The Hotel's Blue Horizon Karaoke Lounge was also opened for spectators to have some fun and a few rounds of drinks. The children also got themselves busy with the many games and activities which the Hotel's Recreational Centre had arranged. Not only that, this year's event also had portrayed about 5 kiosks from the Desaru SMEs who had displayed their products for sale.
After a long and hard day of swimming, cycling and running, some of the triathletes treated themselves to traditional massages and foot reflexology while enjoying the party songs that were spinned by the DJ.
The youngest triathlete was a 12-year old boy from Perak who had partaked in this event every year over the last few years. He certainly had big dreams to represent Malaysia in international triathlons and the Desaru-Pengerang International Long Distance & Sprint Triathlon was a springboard for him to realize his dreams.One of the objectives of this International Triathlon was to promote sports tourism in Desaru and at the same time to help to increase the socio-economics of the local communities through the event's spin-offs and inflow of triathletes and family members as well as friends and fans of the triathlon. This event is definitely an ideal family outing by the beautiful beach and greeneries of Desaru Resort.
So, stay tune to our website at http://www.desaruresort.com/ or http://www.desaruresort.blogspot.com/ for our next 15th Desaru-Pengerang International Long Distance & Sprint Triathlon 2010 if you wish to partake or to be a spectator and join in the fun and thrills.
No comments:
Post a Comment