PHUKET: This year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon has a new look and a new bike course for the international athletes heading to the island to compete in a 1.8-km swim, 50-km bike ride and 12-km run at the Laguna Phuket resort on Sunday, November 20.

The organizers celebrated the triathlon’s 23rd anniversary by unveiling its fresh new look for participating athletes on September 24 at Vertigo TOO, Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok.

The baby elephant mascot ‘Laguna’ is the race’s new ambassador, sporting a redesigned race logo. There’s also a new bike course and tips to conquer the course, previously recognized as one of the most challenging bike courses in Asia.

The 2016 Laguna Phuket Triathlon features prize money of US$ 20,000 (or 694,790 baht).
Wowing the crowd even before the conference started was Thailand’s number 1 rock star Athiwara Khongmalai, better known as ‘Toon Bodyslam’, who has been an avid fan of Laguna Phuket Triathlon since 2012.

Presiding over the Bangkok conference were Promchote Traivate, Inspector General Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Kajornkiet Rakpanitmanee, Vice Governor of Phuket; Ravi Chandran, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket and sponsor representatives; Soodrak Chanyavongs, Manager, Promotions Department from Thai Airways PLC and Wasna Jirasuradej, Marketing Manager, Cocomax.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has been working on developing a framework for the future of Thailand’s sport tourism, a segment in which Thailand has a high potential to continue growing, both in its quantity and quality,” said Mr Promchote.

“Laguna Phuket Triathlon, hosted and organized locally in Phuket with full collaboration between the government, local communities and private sectors, exemplifies a strategic sport tourism combination that promotes both destination and healthy lifestyle with international appeals,” he said.

The enduring appeal of Laguna Phuket attracts entries from leading international pro athlete personalities, as well as age groupers worldwide. This year we once again expect to see a field of more than 1,000 triathletes, representing more than 50 countries around the world, at our resort on November 20,” said Laguna’s Ravi Chandran.

“As the organizer of Asia’s longest standing triathlon race, it is a delight to see the popularity of triathlon proliferates new races in Thailand and the region while Laguna Phuket Triathlon, with its longevity and worldwide appeal, is being recognized internationally. This year in particular, it is an honor that Laguna Phuket Triathlon is shortlisted as a finalist in ‘Best Amateur Sports Event of the Year in Thailand’ category at Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Asia 2016” said Mr Ravi.

While sport tourism is key to Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s success, sustainability has also been an integral focus of the race.

Athletes booking their slots in Laguna Phuket Triathlon can help raise funds through donations and sponsorships for the resort’s long established ‘Laguna Phuket Foundation’ to operate its various charitable programs.

“Not many years had passed before the triathletes felt a deep connection with our race and the communities surrounding it, and started asking how they can give back to the race,” said Mr Ravi.

“Over the years, millions of baht have been raised through Laguna Phuket Foundation to fund initiatives as local school renovations, survival swim teaching, Community Learning Center, Seedlings Phuket and the Mobile Learning Center for children.”

Registration is open now until November 13. For more information and registration, visit www.lagunaphukettri.com or Facebook/LagunaPhuketTri.
The Phuket Gazette and The Nation are the proud national media partners in the event.