Mumbai: It is a sporty and adventurous year for Malaysia. The country hosted the Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya version in April this year and will be holding the Ironman Malaysia in Langkawi on September 27, 2014. The event is presented by a collaboration of World Triathlon Council (WTC) and Malaysia Major Events (MME) under the ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Ironman Malaysia is one of 32 qualifying races on the global Ironman circuit that culminates with the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii each October. Professional athletes will be competing for a total prize of US$40,000 (RM127, 000) for Ironman Malaysia.

The name “Ironman Triathlon” is also associated with the original Ironman triathlon which is now the Ironman World Championship. Held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, the world championship has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978 and is preceded by a series of qualifying Ironman events. Ironman World Championships has become known for its grueling length, harsh race conditions, and Emmy Award winning television coverage.

The Ironman Langkawi Malaysia is an annual triathlon and one of the Worlds’ most recognized endurance events. It is a grueling race that starts out with a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run. The Langkawi leg of the event starts out at Eagle Square (Dataran Lang) with a two-loop swim in Kuah Bay. Once out of the water, participants run up a short jetty to grab bikes and head to the other side of the island before heading back. Lastly, it is a four-loop run that ends back at the Eagle Square.

“Ironman Malaysia is a great platform for athletes to showcase their talent and energy. Malaysia, especially Langkawi, being an ideal location for adventure sports as well as scenic beauty is an idyllic venue for Ironman Malaysia,” says, Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, Director, Tourism Malaysia, India.

While the triathlon surely attracts athletes and spectators from around the world, Langkawi, also known as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’is an archipelago of about hundred islands in the Andaman Sea which offers a perfect family holiday spot with its beautiful beaches, world class infrastructure, mangroves rich in flora and fauna, and ultra-cheap duty free shopping.

Hence for sports and adventure enthusiasts, this year, Malaysia is the place to be!

Source: Sachin Murdeshwar