Sweden wins triathlon challenge

Fredrik, who has recently moved to Vietnam and has worked in China, told the Daily that he joined the competition not to win but rather for the opportunity to explore the country.

Some 300 participants from 24 countries and territories competed in the triathlon. They came from Australia, China, Hong Kong, the United States and Japan to compete in a number of races for all abilities and fitness levels, as well as to challenge themselves in the triathlon, which was open to all ages and all levels of triathlon experience.

Despite the hot climate of the central region, the triathlon athletes dove into the sea for the 1.5 - kilometer swimming competition, then got on their bikes and rode 40 kilometers and finally finished with a 10 - kilometer run.

Meanwhile other competitions were taking place, including the Sprint Aquathon, which is a 750-meter swim and 5 - kilometer bike ride and the 5 - kilometer Fun Run in Hoi An, which was organized so that local sport enthusiasts could get a taste of the action.

"Vietnamese people are still a bit intimidated by this event which is relatively new here. It will take a few years for them to adopt the triathlon as a way of staying fit and healthy and having fun," said Nathalie Marquet, director of the Singapore-based Tribob, the organizer of the triathlon.

Tribob added a new feature to its second triathlon event by organizing an additional competition called Heritage Ride, treating participants to a cultural landscape through a recreational 'recovery' ride from Hoi An to My Son, two of Vietnam's most important World Heritage sites.

Marquet said that she expects that next year's competition, which will be the third annual triathlon event organized by Tribob in Vietnam, will attract some 150 participants.

Hereunder are some snapshots featuring some of the categories in the triathlon competition.

(Source: SGT)

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