Extreme Adventures @ Berjaya Langkawi Resort
Resort Partners with Xterra Malaysia to Host 2015 World Series International Off-road Triathlon in Langkawi
LANGKAWI, MAY 2015 – Berjaya Langkawi Resort is all set to make waves and take the fun-filled vibes at the island up a notch by welcoming the 2015 XTERRA Malaysia World Series Triathlon into its very own backyard. Organised by XTERRA Malaysia and co-hosted by Berjaya Langkawi Resort, this extreme sporting event will run from 1 – 3 May 2015 in a series of non-stop off-road extreme excitement.
XTERRRA is a global series of off-road triathlon races and trail runs, an idea that originated from the Island of Maui, in Hawaii. Each year the race promotes adventure, excitement and a love for nature while embracing mother earth's extreme physical challenges. Making its debut in Malaysia in 2013 with the help of Malaysia Major Events, this year the race will be held in Langkawi, a tropical island destination that genuinely embodies all of these XTERRA characteristics of adventure, excitement and nature.
Unlike a normal road event that happens one morning during the weekend, the XTERRA format is unique. It is in fact more like a “festival” than a “concert” as it runs over 3 days and many participants arrive earlier to familiarise themselves with the race course and the many challenging and unusual sections which push them to their limits. There is always an official practice day and 2 race days, which this year, are taking place at Berjaya Langkawi Resort in Burau Bay.
Featuring two main categories – the flagship XTERRA Championship Distance Triathlon and the Sprint Triathlon – this off-road race includes three challenges which require participants to swim, cycle and run. The distances for the main Championship Triathlon include having to swim 1.5 km, bike 32 km and run 11 km, while the Sprint Triathlon, a shorter yet still highly competitive version of the race cut down the course to swim 750 m, bike 16 km and run 5.5km respectively which both will be taking place on Saturday, 2 May 2015.
As the main venue host, Berjaya Resort Langkawi will be hosting the XTERRA Malaysia 2015 Race Expo and race pack collection at its exquisite Grand Ballroom, the XTERRA Malaysia 2015 Awards Dinner by its private beach as well as the swim challenge and transition to the mountain biking challenge on its own beachfront.
In addition to the two mentioned race formats of this extreme sporting event, there will also be a series of Trail Runs on Sunday, 3 May 2015 with categories like the Family/Fun Trail Run of 5 km or 11km, and one that is just over 21 km that has been labelled as the Serious Sunday Run. The Serious Sunday Run incorporates a route weaving through many of the hills leading up to and over the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls in the foothill of Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak. Participants can enter either or both.
This race attracts professional racers from around the world each year who compete in this "World Series” event aiming to earn enough points to qualify for the World Championships held in Maui, Hawaii each year. And this year, Malaysia is hosting professionals like Carina Wasle, Markus Benesch, Thewi Teresa Benecsh (Austria), Takahiro Ogasawaran, Mieko Carey, Yoshimi Yasue (Japan), Charlie Epperson (America), Theo Bilganaut, Carla Van Huyssteen, Bradely Weiss (South Africa), Lizzie Orchard, Keith Orchard, Dave Nicholas, Rosemary (New Zealand), Daz Parker (United Kingdom), Renata Bucher (Switzerland), Belinda Hadden, Dimity Lee Duke, Ben Allen (Australia), Helena Erbenova (Czechslovakia), Martin Flinta (Denmark), Joseph Miller (Phillines) and Sherin Gerami the first participant of the triathlon from Iran.
Malaysia is also among 4 countries within the Asian region hosting the "Asian Championship Tour" that awards pro winners with additional prize money. With this, as the finale of this global tour event, Malaysia will have the honour of announcing the Asian Tour Champions. As a whole, the entire event serves as a platform to help grow local sporting talent and provides an avenue for people to compete on a world stage. This is turn has also given birth to a new category of racers known as the Asian Elite. As such, this group and the upcoming “weekend warriors” will be able to win 40 slots to compete alongside the pros in Maui, Hawaii in October at the 2015 World Championship.
Besides laying out all the ground work and putting together the logistics for the event, Chris Niuh, the General Manager of the resort and an ardent mountain-biker is also looking to take up this extreme challenge and is leading the team at Berjaya Langkawi Resort to partake in the race. "It would be a good break for my team. Proper work-life balance is something that I ensure is practiced here, instead of just a phrase that is uttered. In a way, introducing bonding activities outside from our duties makes employees feel appreciated, and in turn, makes them more productive and happy working with us," said Chris as he asserted his commitment to inculcate this value among the resort’s personnel.
Set amidst a natural wonderland of lush green tropical rainforest with the Mat Cincang mountain range in the backdrop, yet fringed with a splendid stretch of white-sand beach and azure waters, Berjaya Langkawi Resort’s unique location and landscapes will definitely bring an exciting breath of fresh air for all the participants and drive the entire triathlon series to a whole new level of extreme, promising an amazing experience for all at the XTERRA Malaysia 2015.
Apart from being a private and tranquil island paradise for a rejuvenation escapade, a food heaven with a plethora of dining options and a highly regarded venue for business and leisure events especially Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) in Malaysia, Berjaya Langkawi Resort is also a destination within itself that can cater for extreme and exciting adventures that appeal to both thrill seekers and eco-tourists alike.
Xterra Malaysia has fortunately gained support from organisations within the country in form of sponsors from the government through Lembaga Lada Malaysia, Malaysia Major Events, and commercial business through Berjaya Group, Compressports and Power Bar.