With the inaugural race organized in 1994 to put Phuket and Laguna Phuket on the world's map, LPT is recognised as Asia's longest standing triathlon race.
With paramount success of 2016 Laguna Phuket Triathlon(LPT), Laguna Phuket has announced the award-winning race’s 24th edition to take place on Sunday 19 November 2017. Comprising signature race distance of 1.8Km Swim, 50Km Bike and 12Km Run, registration for 2017 race opens from Wednesday 4 January 2017. Interested athletes are advised to book their slot as soon as possible.
The TV show for 2016 LPT race which took place on Sunday 20 November will be broadcasted nationally for interested audiences and aspired triathletes in Thailand on Tuesday 3 January, 3pm-4pm on Thai TV Channel 7.
2016 LPT CONCLUDED ON A HIGH NOTE
On Sunday 20 November, Laguna Phuket concluded the 23rd edition of its annual large-scale international sporting event – the award-winning Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT). The Triathlon was hosted at the resort’s outdoor event venue “Laguna Grove” located in the heart of Laguna Phuket. Other social activities such as pasta dinner, race briefing and award presentation ceremony took place at the 1,000-square metres “Latitude Marquee” known for its versatility as a large-scale MICE venue.
Mr. Chockchai Dejamornthan (2nd from left) presented the award to Ms. Prapa Hemmin, LPT’s Event Director (3rd from left) and Laguna Phuket team
With the inaugural race organized in 1994 to put Phuket and Laguna Phuket on the world’s map, LPT is recognised as Asia’s longest standing triathlon race. This year, the race saw more than 1,100 athletes representing over 40 nationalities gathered at Laguna Phuket to participate in the race that comprised 1.8Km Swim, 50Km Bike and 12Km through the scenic tropical parkland, beaches and hills of Phuket Province, a beautiful destination island in the South of Thailand.
HIGH-PROFILE SPORTS TOURISM PARTNERS AND ELITE PRO PARTICIPANTS
The year’s LPT marked the defining role Laguna Phuket plays in Thailand’s sports tourism segment over the past two decades when Mrs. Kobkarn Suriyasat Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports personally officiated and graced the race with many high-profile dignitaries attending various event functions during the race weekend including Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand; Mr. Chockchai Dejamornthan, Governor of Phuket; Mr. Suvadhana Sibunruang, Director of Brand and Advertising Department, Thai Airways and race participant Thai celebrity rock star “Khun Toon” Artiwara Kongmalai, to name a few.
Dubbed “The Race of Legends”, LPT athletes’ field saw impressive elite pros from around the world. Headed by defending champions Michael Raelert of Germany, title holder of 2015 Laguna Phuket Triathlon who finished in 02:19:13s, successfully defended his title and broke his own record from last year. Followed Raelert home in second and third places were France’s Antony Costes (02:21:18s) and Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia (02:23:21s). In the women’s field, it was Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s first-timer Amelia Rose Watkinson from New Zealand in 02:36:29s, who has an impressive year of winning 9 out of 10 races. Followed Watkinson in second was World Duathlon Champion Emma Pallant of Great Britain (02:42:30s) who then saw Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s triple winner in the women’s field Radka Vodickova of Czech Republic in 3rd at 02:43:22s. All winners took their share from USD 20,000 prize money.
REGIONAL AWARD RECOGNITION IN OCTOBER 2016
Just one month before this year’s high-profile race, “Laguna Phuket Triathlon” was awarded Best Amateur Sports Event of the Year in Thailand (Bronze) at Sports Industry Awards & Conference (SPIA Asia) 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.
SPIA Asia 2016 saw an increase in both the sports conference and awards gala formats to now include 17 Asian countries across 19 distinct categories, both professional and community focused.
208 entries were received this year. An independent panel of industry experts and appointed awards auditors closely reviewed the 161 shortlisted entries before awarding the top performers with Gold, Silver & Bronze accolades.
RACE’S SUSTAINABILITY AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITY
From the field of more than 1,100 athletes with athletes’ followers and supporters travelling to Phuket, the race is estimated to generate more than 74 million baht spending in tourism segment for Phuket Province. Hotel room and food & beverage revenues generated for hotels and business units in Laguna Phuket is approximated 9 million baht during the race weekend.
In addition to the revenue generated for Phuket’s tourism segment and local community, Laguna Phuket also leverages on this mega event as a meaningful platform for athletes to raise funds through donations and sponsorships for the Resort’s long established Laguna Phuket Foundation, to operate its various charitable programmes. Athletes made donations via online event registration and at the donation booth at the event. Over the course of 20-plus years, millions of baht was raised and used in the operations of Laguna Phuket Foundation’s many educational empowerment programmes such as Mobile Learning Centre, Community Learning Centre, Laguna Phuket Kindergarten and Seedlings Phuket Internship Programme.
LATEST RECOGNITION FROM THE PHUKET PROVINCE
On Tuesday 27 December 2016, Laguna Phuket was recognized as “Outstanding Supporter of Phuket’s Sport Tourism” and received an award from Mr. Chockchai Dejamornthan, Governor of Phuket, nicely concluding 2016 as the race’s golden year of success.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
