ALOR SETAR – More than 1,500 athletes from 52 countries will put their strength and fitness to the test this Saturday at the Ironman Malaysia Championship and Ironman 70.3 Langkawi 2022.
The number of participants this year is down from 2,500 athletes from 70 countries in 2019 after two years of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia, as the host, are sending the most participants at 631, followed by Japan (120), Singapore (91). and several other countries including the Philippines, Thailand, India and Indonesia.
Langkawi Tourism Association Chief Executive Officer Zainudin Kadir said that Ironman Malaysia can generate RM55 million in revenue for the island.
“The Ironman Malaysia generated RM50 million when it was held before the pandemic. We are confident of surpassing that figure this year. It is expected that 30,000 to 40,000 people will visit Langkawi in connection with the events.
“It will boost the local tourism industry as a whole. The return of sports events is at the right time since 90 per cent of the island revenue depends on tourism,” he said in a statement today.
The Ironman Malaysia route starts at Pantai Kok where the triathletes will have to swim start 3.8 kilometres (km), cycle 180km, and a 42.2 km run.
In Ironman 70.3, athletes have to swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and run 21.1km. – Bernama
