23 Aug Excitement building for US$134,000 MetaMan Bintan Triathlon
Singapore, 19 August, 2014 – Excitement is building for Indonesia’s favourite and most anticipated Full and Half iron distance triathlon, taking place this weekend (August 23-25) on the beautiful island resort of Bintan.
MetaMan Bintan returns to Indonesia for its third season in one of the country’s most stunning locations where nearly 500 of the world’s top professional athletes from Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Thailand will hotly compete for this year’s crown. MetaMan Bintan offers one of the largest prize purses in triathlon in the world. The top 5 winners, male and female, will share USD 134,000, with the winners taking home USD 30,000.
“Although it is only in its 3rd year, the popularity of MetaMan Bintan is growing fast among the world’s triathlon elite and the amateurs from Asia and Australia,” commented Nathalie Marquet, Managing Director of event organiser, MetaSport. “These dedicated athletes have trained for months for this event which will result in what is promising to be a very electrifying triathlon finish,” she added.
Last year’s winner Courtney Ogden, New Zealand’s iron distance legend Cameron Brown return for the Full iron distance, and Indonesia’s superstar triathlete and Olympic swimmer Andy Wibowo who placed second last year in the Half iron distance, is determined to beat his previous time.
MetaMan Bintan will provide endurance athletes with a unique race with a start and finish in the stunning grounds of the Nirwana Gardens Resort. The heat and the high level of humidity will test their physical abilities in the competitive swim, bike and run to the finish line. The favourite event remains the MetaMan Half consisting of 1.9km swim – 90km bike – 21.1km run.
This year the race returns with an all new MetaMan Blitz to cater to all triathlon enthusiasts who would like to participate. For the first time, the event will award a separate Indonesian Championship prize. The first male and female of each distance (Full, Half, Blitz), will be crowned Indonesian Champion and win prize money of US$500, US$200, and US$100 respectively.
Racing in Indonesia gives Wibowo an added incentive. “To race in my own country is like having an extra energy boost,” Wibowo continued. “Last year almost all the spectators along the run course were cheering me on; it was a wonderful feeling.”
“We’re so encouraged by the response to registration in all categories of MetaMan Bintan 2014,” Marquet said. “To be presenting such an exciting and professional event in Indonesia; a country we’ve always found so supportive of sporting events, just adds to the fantastic spirit of the whole competition.”
