Bali International Triatlon

The Birth of a Bali Sporting Tradition

Sun-filled Skies Greet Nearly 300 Athletes at Very Successful Inaugural Bali International Triathlon.
(6/24/2007) Shortly after dispatching a troupe of a Bali lifesavers from the shore to assume their posts in Jimbaran Bay, Badung's Regent A.A. Agung sounded the starting signal at 8:00 on Sunday, June 24, 2007, that sent a large group of swimmers on a 1.5 km swim in the calm waters of Jimbaran Bay and marked the start of the inaugural Bali International Triathlon.

Just 22 minutes later, the first swimmers emerged from the sea to dash to the designated transition area where they mounted bikes for a fast and sometimes furious 40 km race down the Ungasan peninsula to Nusa Dua and back. Urged on by large enthusiastic crowds, the lead bikers averaged more than 40 km per hour and were back at Jimbaran Bay in less than an hour where they parked their bicycles before speeding off on the final 10 km foot race through the villages of Jimbaran.

During the second phase of the race, while the triathletes cycled through Bali's South, a second group comprised of more than 110 runners left on a 5 km fun run through Jimbaran village.Race CentralThe Four Season's Resort's Coconut Grove served as race central for the triathlon and home to a central command post coordinating security service provided by more than 400 police offices, and over 500 volunteer from local communities and workers at leading Bali hotels who guided the races down Bali's roads and byways.

Race Central was also home to a lively bazaar where musicians entertained throughout the morning; local businesses sold merchandise and offered delicious food and drink; ice cream vendors sold their home-made confections; and masseurs provided free massages to the public and athletes. To ensure the health and safety of the race participants, the Bali International Medical Center established a fully-equipped field hospital providing complimentary medical services throughout the race.

With the Regent of Badung, A.A. Agung acting as the official marshal of the race and sounding the starting horn, the event was widely covered by both local and national media with Radio Republik Indonesia and other electronic media hosting live broadcasts from the starting line.2nd Bali International Triathlone June 2008Echoing the enthusiastic support of Badung's Regent, race organizers from Generic Events, Bali Discovery Events and Bali International Triathlon LLC declared Bali's first triathlon an overwhelming success and immediately announced plans to hold a similar event in the second half of June 2008.For those who couldn't join the fun at Jimbaran beach, balidiscovery.com features some snapshots from race day in Bali.

Race Results

The overall winner of the Bali International Triathlon was Daniel Plews, competing in the 25-29 year old class who covered the 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle race and 10 km run in just 01:58.30. He was followed by Taipei-based Craig Johns who turned in a time of 2:04.36.In the corporate relay team division a team of 3 local athletes from the Discovery Kartika Plaza won first in that division, turning in a total time of 2:04:41.Complete race results are available at [Bali Triathlon Web Site]

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