Phuket, 21 November, 2016 – The 23rd annual Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT) race (1.8K swim, 50K bike, 12K run) concluded yesterday (20 November, 2016) with Germany’s Michael Raelert finished first in the premier-destination distance and successfully defended his title from last year.
Raelert finished in 02:19:13 hours, and broke his own LPT record made last year at 2:30:14. In second and third places were France’s Antony Costes (02:21:18) and Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia (02:23:21).
“I am very happy with the race today. It’s fantastic. Definitely I’ll return. I love it here in Phuket, Thailand,” said Raelert.
In the women’s field, LPT’s first timer Amelia Rose Watkinson from New Zealand finished in 02:36:29. In second was World Duathlon Champion Emma Pallant of Great Britain (02:42:30), and LPT’s triple winner in the women’s filed Radka Vodickova of Czech Republic in 3rd at 02:43:22.
Watkinson has been training in Thailand since March and 2016 LPT is her first race in Thailand. “I am excited to be here. The weather is quite nice, not too hot but still with high humidity. I tried to keep pushing, especially on the bike course and those hills so that it’s not too hard on the run leg,” said Watkinson.
“I will spend this holidays season back home (in New Zealand), and I will return to Thailand next year to train, and definitely defend my title at the next Laguna Phuket Triathlon” she concluded.
Triathletes and spectators also get to congratulate Kahlefeldt and Vodickova who are engaged to be married soon.
A field of over 1,100 individual pro and age group athletes representing more than 40 nationalities, 55 relay teams and 6K Fun Runners crowded Asia’s premier destination resort “Laguna Phuket” from the Race Finish at the resort’s beachfront to the Transition Area at Laguna Grove outdoor event venue.
Most of the pros who raced today’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon has been spending days resting and training at Asia’s premier destination resort Laguna Phuket.
Wowing the Thai crowd were two leading men in their own right; Jaray Jearanai was once again the first Thai finisher (in 02:38:48) while Artiwara Kongmalai, Thailand’s number one rock star best known for his stage name “Toon Bodyslam” finished his individual race in 03:54:07. Thai champion in the women’s filed was Nichakarn Ruttanaporn, came in 03:12:43.
Results
| Men | Swim | Bike | Run | Overall | |
| 1 | Michael Raelert(DEU) | 0:22:54 | 1:11:35 | 0:42:39 | 2:19:13 |
| 2 | Antony Costes (FRA) | 0:22:56 | 1:10:58 | 0:45:15 | 2:21:18 |
| 3 | Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) | 0:22:58 | 1:15:26 | 0:42:58 | 2:23:21 |
| 4 | Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) | 0:23:04 | 1:16:51 | 0:42:00 | 2:23:46 |
| 5 | Alberto Casadei (ITA) | 0:23:00 | 1:15:25 | 0:44:13 | 2:24:42 |
| Women | Swim | Bike | Run | Overall | |
| 1 | Amelia Rose Watkinson (NZL) | 0:25:20 | 1:18:27 | 0:50:27 | 2:36:29 |
| 2 | Emma Pallant (GBR) | 0:25:24 | 1:25:32 | 0:49:32 | 2:42:30 |
| 3 | Radka Vodickova (CZE) | 0:25:22 | 1:25:32 | 0:50:15 | 2:43:22 |
| 4 | Imogen Simmonds (GBR) | 0:27:44 | 1:23:00 | 0:51:36 | 2:44:50 |
| 5 | Annelise Jefferies (AUS) | 0:27:44 | 1:29:47 | 0:52:32 | 2:52:44 |
Hi-res photos here
Race results and participant name list www.lagunaphukettri.com
