DESARU, 17 August 2008 – 2KM of swimming, 90KM of cycling, and 21KM of running. No wonder the 2008 Desaru-Pengerang International Triathlon is known as Malaysia’s toughest triathlon of all time!

This year, the organisers saw a great turnout of more than 800 participants from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Japan, as well as far-off countries like New Zealand, Australia, and the US. The majority of the participation hailed from Malaysia with close to 500 tri-athletes, whilst following close are those from Singapore, with more than 300 participants.

“The Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia has listed the Desaru-Pengerang International Triathlon as one of the top sports tourism products in the year 2003,” said Hoo Seong Chang, Executive Councillor of the Johor State Domestic Trade and Tourism.

“This year, not only is it recognised as a signature event for Johor, it has also the best competition course in the country with its wide open ocean front and the flat terrain surrounding the area.”

“The Desaru-Pengerang International Triathlon has come a long way since its humble beginning in 1996 with less than 100 competitors,” Hoo added. “Today, there is an estimated 1,000 athletes taking part, and I am confident the number will continue to grow in years to come.”

The long distance race on August 16 started off on a scorching note, with the temperature, wavering in between the 30°C and 40°C range. No tri-athletes crossed the finish line without being drenched in sweat from head to toe.

Pete Jacobs, last year’s winner, took the lead very early on in the race, with fellow Australian Aaron Farlow following close behind. However, by the third lap of the cycling course, the wind of change blew in favour of Farlow as he overtook Jacobs, and became the new winner for the long distance triathlon.

“It’s the little things I do for this triathlon that got me this far,” said Farlow, still breathless after just finishing the race minutes ago.

“I made it a point to get to Singapore two weeks before the competition to adapt to the hot weather, and fortunately, it’s a good move. I also took heed of my diet for the past few days, just that it would not work against me during the race.”

“The biggest challenge for me during the race was probably the intrusion at the end of the race,” he said. “The cramps threatened to ruin everything, and I was just about to run out of energy.”

“I see it as a challenge for myself to improve from my previous placing last year,” he added, acknowledging his 4th placing in the 2007 Desaru Half Ironman race.

“I admit that I didn’t do well the last time, so I have been aiming to work hard since then. It is quite a surprised to win, but I do feel lucky that I have won. It’s a great boost for me as an athlete.”

Farlow completed the race in a record time of 4 hours 9 minutes and 24 seconds, while Jacobs reached the finish line at 4 hours 24 minutes and 26 seconds, a whopping 24 minutes later than his previous record last year.

“I was feeling alright in the beginning, but by the time I got on my bike, I didn’t feel good anymore,” said Jacobs. “I guess it has something to do with the hot weather here and I didn’t drink enough fluid, as well as the tough trainings for the last few days.”

“But without all that obstacles, I think Aaron would have won anyway,” he added. “He was much faster, and he deserves to win this year.”

Great sportsmanship on Jacobs’ part, indeed. In fact, during the sprint race the next day, Jacobs was on his feet once again splitting apart 500M of the South China Sea with his outstretched arms, before tearing down the 18KM cycling distance, and ending his epic race with the 3KM run.

Following behind Jacobs were Mathieu O’Halloran from Canada and Hamish Johnson from New Zealand subsequently.

Joining these professionals at the race was the youngest tri-athlete for the year, Zak Zastera. Only 9 years of age, Zak was no stranger to the triathlon terrains. Following his father’s footsteps in becoming a tri-athlete, the young Zastera participated in his first triathlon at the age of 7. Although he did not come up top like the older boys, it is safe to say the future is bright for this Canadian.

“I’d say the toughest part of the race would be the cycling,” said Zastera. “I think I may need a new bike for that.”

Zak’s father, John Zastera, was also one of the participants in the Desaru-Pengerang Triathlon this year.

Other triathlon winners include:

Long Distance race:
Professional category
1. Aaron Farlow – Australia
2. Pete Jacobs – Australia
3. Mathieu O’Halloran – Canada

Men relay category
1. Toshiba Bike Labz P2K 1 (Yeo Jin Rong, Jasmin Ruslan, Krishna) – Malaysia
2. Toshiba Bike Labz P2K 2 (Ho Kok Yaw, Falamie, Agilan) – Malaysia
3. Toshiba Bike Labz P2K 3 (Ho Kok Yang, Sazli, Samuel) – Malaysia

Mixed relay category
1. Toshiba Bike Labz P2K 4 (Irene Chong, Suhardi, Kuna) – Malaysia
2. Toshiba Bike Labz P2K 5 (Kok Hui Jean, Fauzan, Richard) – Malaysia
3. JB 1 (Sarah Chung, Razif, Afzanizam) – Malaysia

Men (16 – 29 years) category
1. Jason Hsieh – Hong Kong
2. Heidilee Mohammad – Malaysia
3. Lee Madian – Malaysia

Men (40 – 49 years) category
1. Muhamad Razani Husain - Malaysia
2. Don Khor Ngee Leong – Malaysia
3. Iwata Takatoshi – Japan

Men (50 years and above) category
1. Michael Waldau – USA
2. Sam Pritchard – Great Britain
3. Alinodogan – The Phillippines

Women (16 – 34 years) category
1. Esther Tan – Singapore
2. Jin Pang – Singapore
3. Emma Bishop – UK

Women (35 years and above) category
1. Jacqueline Tan – Singapore
2. Carmen Leong – Malaysia
3. Sim Siew Yee – Singapore

Sprint race:
Professional category
1. Pete Jacobs – Australia
2. Mathieu O’Halloran – Canada
3. Hamish Johnson – New Zealand

Men (21 – 39 years) category
1. Jason Hsieh – Hong Kong
2. Jonathan Vincent – Australia
3. Frankie Ambrose – Malaysia

Men (40 years and above) category
1. Muhamad Razani Husain – Malaysia
2. Ahmad Joyo bin Hj Mohd – Malaysia
3. Omar bin Abdullah – Malaysia

Women (21 – 34 years) category
1. Robika Gasing – Malaysia
2. Grace Chan Tse Chi – Singapore
3. Teoh Sue Ling – Malaysia

Women (35 years and above) category
1. Sim Siew Yee – Singapore
2. Megan Kinder – Australia
3. Tracy Elley – New Zealand

Junior Boys (Under 20 years) category
1. Yeo Jin Rong – Malaysia
2. Hui Siu Kit – Hong Kong
3. Hui Ka Cheong – Hong Kong

Junior Girls (Under 20 years) category
1. Irene Chong See Win – Malaysia
2. Maria Chou – Malaysia
3. Sarah Chung – Malaysia