Triathlon

World IRONMAN Championship participant Lâm Túc Ngân tests her bike on the course of the BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phú Quốc - Best In Me. Ngân will be one of about 400 athletes to compete in the tournament on November 20 on Phú Quốc Island. Photo courtesy of Lâm Túc Ngân

HÀ NỘI — A 5150 triathlon event is set to make its exciting debut on Phú Quốc Island, Kiên Giang Province, later this month.

The 'BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phú Quốc - Best In Me' will feature 400 athletes from 34 countries over the weekend of November 18-20.

The 5150 Triathlon Series, owned by The IRONMAN Group, is the world's largest Olympic distance triathlon series. The total distance of 51.50km inspires the name 5150 triathlon - 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run - that competitors must complete in this event.

This shorter-distance event is more accessible to new athletes joining triathlons than long-distance events such as IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3.

In Việt Nam, the event officially is named BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phú Quốc and athletes can register as individuals and relay groups.

The organisers have carefully designed it so that athletes can both compete and enjoy the unique nature of the 'Pearl Island' Phú Quốc in the best season of the year.

Athletes will start with the swim course at Bãi Trường-Long Beach, one of the most beautiful and longest beaches of Phú Quốc with pure blue crystal water.

Part of the BIM Group 5150 Triathlon course in Phú Quốc. — Photo of organisers

On the bike course, athletes will cross straight, beautiful, smooth roads in the Phú Quốc Marina. The run course will begin from Pearl Square, along the coastal road with a blue sea and a row of cool green poplars. After two laps, runners will reach the finish line at the beach in front of InterContinental Phú Quốc Long Beach Resort.

Organisers expect to develop this event into the largest 5150 Triathlon Series in the region, transforming Phú Quốc into a leading sports tourism destination in Asia, while encouraging Vietnamese athletes to test their limits.

"I will not set a target of final ranking position in this triathlon. I want to do my best with the spirit of 'Best In Me'," said first and only Việt Nam's World IRONMAN Championship participant Lâm Túc Ngân.

"I want to be a better version of myself and will overcome my limits at a shorter course Ironman.

Lâm Túc Ngân can't wait to compete at the BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phú Quốc - Best In Me. — Photo courtesy of Lâm Túc Ngân

"I am excited to know that the tournament has lured several strong triathloners, including national team member Nguyễn Thị Trà My. They will be a strong push for me through the courses," she said.

Ngân did not set a target, but she expects good results in biking and running while setting a personal record in swimming. She hopes to complete the race in 2hr 20min.

In addition to the main event, the multi-day sports festival will include a Sunrise Sprint Triathlon (swim 750m, bike 20km, run 5km), IRONKIDS event for participants of 5-10-year-old and 11-14-year-old groups, and a Newborns Vietnam Runout 3km open to the public.

Athletes and their supporters will also enjoy a series of entertainment and cultural activities, food stalls and live performances at the Phú Quốc Marina Integrated Resort Complex Beach Fest during the weekend.

"With the main theme 'Best In Me', through this 5150 Triathlon event, we want to convey a positive message to participants and the community for a wellness lifestyle," said BIM Group Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Đoàn Quốc Huy.

"The destination, Phú Quốc, perfectly aligns with our goal to showcase the beauty and hospitality of Việt Nam. Our local and international athletes and their families and owning full capacities for international standard sports events."

Onslo Carrington, General Manager of Sunrise Events Vietnam, added that after the great success of the IRONMAN event, specifically the IRONMAN 70.3 introduced in 2015, triathlons have grown strong in Việt Nam.

The press conference announcing the first 5150 Triathlon event in Việt Nam early this week. — Photo of organisers

"This year, we are excited to introduce the 5150 Triathlon Series to Việt Nam with the message "Best In Me", BIM Group 5150 Triathlon Phú Quốc, and love to emphasise the main message of the IRONMAN event: 'Anything is possible', with sports you can do more amazing things than you think," he said. VNS