The Tri-Fest will see thousands of international athletes from around the world descend on the island for the legendary 21st Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on 23 November, followed by the 2nd Challenge Laguna Phuket a week later on 30 November.
PHUKET, Thailand – On 4 November 2014 at a “Phuket Governor Meet Press” session, hosted by Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong at Phuket City Hall, Phuket Provincial Office and Laguna Phuket reported the progress of 2014 Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest races and events preparation to members of the press.
Once again, the Tri-Fest will see thousands of international athletes from around the world descend on the island for the legendary 21st Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) on 23 November, followed by the 2nd Challenge Laguna Phuket a week later on 30 November.
An exciting pro lineup promises to make for two weekends of exciting races. Headlining the men’s field are our 2013 Challenge Laguna Phuket Champion Rasmus Petraeus, four time World Champion Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack and Luke McKenzie (2nd Ironman World Championships 2013). They will be challenged by the 2013 Laguna Phuket Triathlon Champion Ruedi Wild, three-time Laguna Phuket Champion Massimo Cigana and fellow Italian Alberto Casadei. The lucky crowds will also get a glimpse of world famous Formula One driver from England Jenson Button and Thai leading pop star Navin Tar, both with passion for the sport of triathlon.
The women’s field is equally exciting, lead by last year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon and Challenge Laguna Phuket Champion Melissa Hauschildt and three times Laguna Phuket Triathlon Champion Radka Vodickova who has become one of the crowd favorites in Phuket in recent years. They are joined in the women’s line up by triathlon legend Belinda Granger, who is retiring from professional racing at Challenge Laguna Phuket in Phuket, multiple half distance winner Rebekah Keat and Gina Crawford.
The pro athletes are competing for a prize purse of EUR 25,000 in the Challenge Laguna Phuket.
Like every year, Laguna Phuket will also be fundraising for Laguna Phuket Foundation during the Tri-Fest week. Athletes booking their slots in Laguna Phuket’s sports events are being asked to raise funds through donations and sponsorships for the resort’s long established “Laguna Phuket Foundation” aimed at collecting THB 500,000 per year to operate its various charitable programmes.
The latest CSR project materialised by the Foundation and to be showcase at the Tri-Fest event this year is “Fully Booked!” Mobile Learning Centre. The Centre has started servicing schoolchildren in rural areas of Phuket since July.
This December, a very special education service will be launched in commemoration of the Tsunami relief 10th anniversary. The new Laguna Phuket Community Learning Centre (CLC) will compliment the current community English learning centre that has been providing free English courses to interested learners of all ages since 2007. To-date, nearly 8,000 learners have enrolled and the new CLC will become a centre where people can develop their skills and further their knowledge. Donations made to Laguna Phuket Foundation this year will be used for this new Community Learning Centre initiative.
Athletes can make donations via online event registration and at the donation booth at the event.
“The enduring appeal of Laguna Phuket Triathlon and the unique challenges of Challenge Laguna Phuket are attracting entries from leading international pro athlete personalities, as well as age groupers worldwide,” said Prapa Hemmin, Event Director and Laguna Phuket’s Director of Sales-MICE & Corporate Event.
“To date, a combined 1,500 athletes have signed up for the two main races. Registration for the 2014 half distance Challenge Laguna Phuket is open until 17 November, and total of approximately 1,800 athletes are expected to sign up this year. With thousands of athletes combined with their followers and supporters traveling to Phuket and spend 4-5 nights during the weeklong Tri-Fest, the event is projected to generate over 93 million baht spending in tourism segment for the island.”
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