PHUKET, THAILAND – Saturday 1st December saw almost 300 determined youngsters turn up at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TSLC) to compete in the third TSLC IronKids Phuket official race.
Now in its second year, the IronKids Phuket race is continuing to cement TSLC’s reputation as a centre of sporting excellence for both professional and junior athletes alike, with more than 30 competitors flying to Phuket from overseas to participate.
Top athletes in the making: Children from around Thailand and abroad gathered at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club’s world-class facilities for the competition.
The race includes three age groups from 6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-17 years competing in age appropriate distances. 17 year old newcomer, Rikigoro Shinozuka from Kuala Lumpur, was the fastest overall athlete in the Senior Boys division, with an overall time of 36 minutes 28 sec.
“Thank you very much once again for hosting such a great event in such awesome facilities! Unfortunately, I will be too old to compete in next year’s race, but I would love to come back for a visit to watch the race and train at Thanyapura,” he said.
Defending IronKids Phuket Champion, 13 year old Zoe Bowden, also from Kuala Lumpur, was the fastest overall female athlete in the seniors group with a finish time of 42 minutes 31 sec on the 300m swim, 12km Bike and 3km run seniors’ course.
The Intermediate age group was the largest individual field with over 80 competitors following a course of a 150m swim, 6km bike and 1.5km run. Overall Intermediate winner was returning athlete, 11 year old Muhammad Shafriz from Malaysia, with a finish time of 23 minutes 02 seconds followed closely by Ben Mcmillan, 1st place 10 year old finisher with a 23 minutes 17sec finish time.
The fastest female on the intermediate course was 11 year old Mayumi Shinozuka, also from Kuala Lumpur. Phuket based Natalya Dougall from Phuket International Academy was the 1st place finisher for the 9 year old age group with a time of 27 minutes 12 sec.
The junior age group with over 60 competitors followed a course comprising a 50m swim, 3km bike and 500m run. Phuket International School student Siam Yapp (a regular TSLC IronKids Phuket 1st place finisher) had the fastest junior time overall, winning the 8 year old age category with a time of 11 minutes 40 seconds, while the fastest female in the junior division was Natalie Hunter with a time of 12 minutes 23 seconds.
The youngest 1st place finisher was 6 year old Sophie Schwalb from Bangkok, with a finish time of 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
Determined: TSLC IronKids Phuket focuses on triathlon racing, with children running, swimming and cycling to compete.
The senior age group also had over 21 relay teams participating, many of which were Thai Athletes from local schools in attendance through the Corporate Sponsored Team program. Most were officially competing in relay teams for the first time.
The 1st Place Senior team consisted of three athletes from Bangtao School – Supakit, Tahapol and Seksan sponsored by CBRE and completing the senior course in 40 minutes and 39 seconds.
Seven local businesses and residents sponsored the training sessions and entry fees for 90 children from local schools in Phuket,including Bangtao School, Thalang School, and a young team from the SOSA orphanage in Koh Keaw, sponsored by Quest Laguna Phuket.
For further information or high-resolution photography, please contact:
Ms. Nathaphat Asavathanachart Marketing Communications Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +66 (0) 76 336 000 Ext 50633
Mobile: +66 (0) 80 266 9393
www.thanyapura.com
Mr. David Johnson Managing Director Delivering Asia Communications
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159
Mobile: +66 (0) 89 170 9866
About Thanyapura. Thanyapura offers a diverse portfolio of unique properties centred on one idyllic campus in the heart of Phuket including Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club – Phuket, a world class sports and fitness facility for elite athletes and amateur enthusiasts, Thanyapura Mind Centre for the cultivation of mental and emotional balance, Phuket International Academy Day School, 77-room Thanyapura Resort (opening 2012), 38-room Thanyapura Retreat as well as a satellite operation, the five-star, nine-suite Thanyamundra two hours drive north of Phuket on a working organic farm adjacent to Khao Sok National Park. Thanyapura’s leisure amenities extend to a day spa, fully equipped kids and teen clubs, arts studio and performance centre plus innovative food and beverage outlets featuring organic cuisine, wine and cooking instruction. Unrivalled on Phuket, Thanyapura presents the ideal destination for active leisure travellers, professional and amateur sports enthusiasts, corporate groups on offsite retreats, seminars, incentives and team building as well as for the active and wellness needs of the local community. Thanyapura prides itself on being a responsible member of the Phuket community, operating with integrity as equal opportunity employers and adhering to the highest ethical standards.
