Bangkok / Chon Buri, 14 May 2014 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Royal Thai Naval Air Division, the Triathlon Association of Thailand and Tri Petch Isuzu Sale Co., Ltd. is launching the very first “Isuzu Roboman U-Tapao 2014” competition, to be held from 24-25 May at U-Tapao-Pattaya-Rayong International Airport in Sattahip, Chon Buri.
Mr. Santi Chudintra, Executive Director of the Eastern Region of TATsaid, “This sporting event will be the first of its kind ever held in the environs of the U-Tapao-Pattaya-Rayong International Airport so spectators and competitors alike will get to see, and in some cases experience, the marvelous sporting facilities as well as many ecotourism and adventure activity opportunities available within the extensive grounds of the Royal Thai Naval Air Division.”
The Isuzu Roboman U-Tapao 2014 will feature two competitions – a triathlon and a duathlon – as well as a fun bike ride. The triathlon will test athletes in three different endurance disciplines: a standard or Olympic distance – a 1.5 km swim, a 40km bike and a 10km run – for teams as well as individuals and a short distance – a 300m swim, a 5 km bike and a 1.5 km run – for team competitors. The challenging duathlon will consist of a 10 km run, a 40 km bike and a 5 km run. For people who want to explore the airport and get a little exercise at the same time, the U-Tapao fun ride follows a 40 km route around some of the most scenic parts of the area.
The airport is one of Thailand’s best venues for triathlon competition due to its long and even runway, means athletes can run continually at fixed speed and hopefully enable them to set new time records in the competition. During the two days of the competition dates, the U-Tapao-Pattaya-Rayong International Airport will be closed to all air traffic.
It is expected that the Isuzu Roboman U-Tapao 2014 will be a memorable event for the competitors and the spectators who come to watch. The organisers have taken every precaution to ensure the event runs without a hitch and safety of everyone involved will be paramount. During the swimming leg of the competition, manned rafts will be placed every 100m of the entire 1.5km distance, and a lifesaving team will be onhand, made up of 20 highly-trained “Navy SEAL” officers, many of whom have provided top security for the country’s VIPs.
Also to enjoy at the event will be fun and games at the “expo” grounds, which will cover the entire 2,500-square-meter helicopter parking bay. There will be special shows, ranging from military drills, to parachute and acrobatic air shows from the Royal Thai Navy, as well as more than 50 booths selling and exhibiting sporting, camping and trekking products.
U-Tapao-Pattaya-Rayong International Airport is operated by the Royal Thai Naval Air Division and is located just a two-hour drive from Bangkok or 30 minutes south of Pattaya.
For more information, contact
TAT Pattaya Office
Tel. +66 (0) 3842 7667, 3842 8750
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tourismthailand.org/chonburi
Contact Information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
